Sarah Tennenhaus, CancerCare, New York, NY (USA)

Social isolation and limited support are significant issues among older adults, impacting physical and mental wellbeing. This issue is especially acute for older adults with cancer. This presentation will describe a monthly virtual book club developed to reduce social isolation and increase positive connections among older adults with cancer. Materials selection criteria, recruitment suggestions, and group facilitation pointers will be included.

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Presentation Description:

Social isolation is a significant issue among older adults. Almost one quarter (24%) of older adults report being socially isolated, impacting their physical and mental wellbeing (Perissinotto, Holt‐Lunstad, Periyakoil, V& Covinsky, 2019). Notably, low or limited social support is related to increased stress, depression, anxiety, and poorer treatment outcomes among older adults with cancer (Williams et al., 2019). To promote positive social connections and reduce isolation among older adults with cancer, oncology social workers can think creatively about developing virtual social programs for patients. These programs can be designed to facilitate social connection, emotional support, and intellectual stimulation among older adults who share common interests in addition to a cancer diagnosis (Kadambi et al., 2020).Literature is one context for meaningful discussion and personal connections. It can provide opportunities for older adults to engage in an intellectually stimulating activity while deriving emotional and social benefits (Kadambi et al., 2020). Bibliotherapy uses language and story to promote health and healing and has shown benefits for people with cancer (Malibiran, Tariman, & Amer, 2018). Sharing and discussing books can have inter- and intrapersonal and communal benefits for older adults (Pursley, 2024).This poster will describe a virtual book club program which was developed by an oncology social worker to reduce experiences of social isolation and increase positive social connection among older adults with cancer. This monthly book club is open to clients ages 65 years and older throughout the United States. Surveys of program participants show that clients find these programs accessible, acceptable, and effective for reducing social isolation, increasing social connectivity, and sharing of lived experiences. This presentation will describe the format of these programs, including materials selection criteria, recruitment suggestions, and group facilitation pointers, so social workers may create similar programs in various settings.

References:

• Kadambi, S., Soto-Perez-de-Celis, E., Garg, T., Loh, K. P., Krok-Schoen, J. L., Battisti, N. M. L., Taylor Moffatt, G., Gil-Jr, L. A., Mohile, S., & Hsu, T. (2020). Social support for older adults with cancer: Young International Society of Geriatric Oncology review paper. Journal of geriatric oncology, 11(2), 217-224.
• Malibiran, R., Tariman, J. D., & Amer, K. (2018). Bibliotherapy: Appraisal of evidence for patients diagnosed with cancer. Clinical journal of oncology nursing, 22(4).
• Perissinotto, C., Holt‐Lunstad, J., Periyakoil, V. S., & Covinsky, K. (2019). A practical approach to assessing and mitigating loneliness and isolation in older adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 67(4), 657-662.
• Pursley, E. (2024). The House of Healing for the Soul: Bibliotherapy and Book Clubs Within Geriatric Care (Doctoral dissertation).
• Williams, G. R., Pisu, M., Rocque, G. B., Williams, C. P., Taylor, R. A., Kvale, E. A., Partridge, E. E., Bhatia, S., & Kenzik, K. M. (2019). Unmet social support needs among older adults with cancer. Cancer, 125(3), 473-481.