Patient-Centered Care for the Older Adult With Hematologic Malignancy

Older adults have unique health concerns, and in particular, older adults with blood cancers may have different disease and other health related issues than younger adults with similar diagnoses. One aspect of aging which can make older adults more vulnerable is frailty. Frailty is a general term that describes a decline in multiple areas of health, including the loss of energy, physical ability, and mental ability. Frailty can make it difficult for patients with cancer to respond to treatment and more likely to have side effects. On the other hand, many older patients are not frail despite advanced age. This study is being done to determine if co-management by a geriatrician of older adults who are found to be frail through a detailed baseline assessment can improve outcomes.