An elderly person confidently walking through a sunlit garden, symbolizing recovery and improved quality of life after colorectal cancer treatment.

Beyond Survival: How Post-Acute Care Can Improve the Lives of Older Colorectal Cancer Patients

Lena Kashyap in Health & Wellness July 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the critical role of post-acute care in helping older adults regain independence and quality of life after colorectal cancer treatment."

For older adults battling colorectal cancer (CRC), the journey doesn't end with surgery or chemotherapy. While survival rates are a primary focus, quality of life and the ability to maintain independence are equally important. Often, the full impact of cancer treatment on older patients, particularly their functional and cognitive well-being, is overlooked.

A groundbreaking study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society sheds light on the crucial role of post-acute care (PAC) in the lives of older CRC survivors. This research highlights the need for comprehensive survivorship plans that extend beyond the hospital walls and into the realm of rehabilitation and ongoing support.

This article explores the findings of this pivotal study, offering insights into the types of post-acute care available, who benefits most from these services, and how you can advocate for yourself or your loved ones to ensure a smoother recovery and a higher quality of life after CRC treatment.

What is Post-Acute Care and Why is It Important for Older CRC Patients?

An elderly person confidently walking through a sunlit garden, symbolizing recovery and improved quality of life after colorectal cancer treatment.

Post-acute care encompasses a range of services designed to help patients recover from illness or injury. For older CRC survivors, PAC can be vital in regaining strength, mobility, and cognitive function after surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. These services address the challenges that can arise from cancer treatment, such as persistent deficits in strength and mobility, ultimately affecting long-term independence.

The study underscores that older individuals (those 65 and older) treated for cancer face a heightened risk of functional and cognitive decline, potentially leading to a loss of independence. Approximately 40% to 60% of these individuals experience persistent deficits in strength and mobility for up to six months following treatment, with about 20% failing to regain their pre-treatment quality of life. This increased reliance on post-acute care services highlights the need for a proactive approach to recovery.

Home Health Care: Provides assistance at home, including intravenous medications, wound care, and rehabilitation.
Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs): Offer short-term care for patients needing more intensive medical support.
Long-Term Care Facilities: Provide ongoing care for individuals with chronic conditions or disabilities.

While these services are invaluable for recovery, they also represent a significant financial burden for patients, caregivers, and the healthcare system. Medicare spends approximately $62 billion annually on PAC services, making it one of the fastest-growing costs in American healthcare. This highlights the importance of understanding who needs PAC and how to optimize its delivery for the best outcomes.

Advocating for Comprehensive Survivorship Planning

The study's findings emphasize the need for comprehensive survivorship planning that includes discussions about post-acute care needs following cancer therapy. This planning should occur even several years after treatment, as the need for PAC can arise long after the initial diagnosis. By understanding the factors that increase the risk of needing PAC, healthcare providers and patients can work together to create personalized plans that optimize recovery, maintain independence, and improve the overall quality of life for older CRC survivors.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1111/jgs.15680, Alternate LINK

Title: Post‐Acute Care Among Older Adults With Stage I To Iii Colorectal Cancer

Subject: Geriatrics and Gerontology

Journal: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society

Publisher: Wiley

Authors: Kelly M. Kenzik, Grant R. Williams, Smita Bhatia, Courtney J. Balentine

Published: 2018-12-03

Everything You Need To Know

What is Post-Acute Care (PAC) and why is it so important for older adults recovering from Colorectal Cancer (CRC)?

Post-Acute Care (PAC) encompasses a range of services designed to help patients recover from illness or injury. For older Colorectal Cancer (CRC) survivors, PAC is vital in regaining strength, mobility, and cognitive function after treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. This is crucial because older individuals face a heightened risk of functional and cognitive decline after cancer treatment. PAC services address deficits, helping to maintain or regain independence and improve the overall quality of life. Without it, patients may experience prolonged weakness and reduced quality of life.

What types of Post-Acute Care services are available to older adults after Colorectal Cancer treatment?

Several types of Post-Acute Care are available. Home Health Care provides assistance at home, including intravenous medications, wound care, and rehabilitation. Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) offer short-term care for patients needing more intensive medical support. Long-Term Care Facilities provide ongoing care for individuals with chronic conditions or disabilities. The choice of service depends on the individual's specific needs and the level of support required for their recovery and well-being. Healthcare providers will assess the patient's condition to determine the most appropriate setting.

Why is comprehensive survivorship planning, including Post-Acute Care, so important for older Colorectal Cancer (CRC) survivors?

Comprehensive survivorship planning is essential because the journey doesn't end with surgery or chemotherapy. Older individuals treated for Colorectal Cancer (CRC) are at a higher risk of functional and cognitive decline, potentially leading to a loss of independence. Up to 60% of these individuals experience persistent deficits in strength and mobility for several months following treatment, and about 20% fail to regain their pre-treatment quality of life. By including Post-Acute Care (PAC) in survivorship plans, healthcare providers and patients can proactively address these challenges, optimize recovery, and maintain independence. Planning should ideally begin even several years after treatment, as the need for PAC can arise long after the initial diagnosis.

What are the potential financial implications of Post-Acute Care (PAC) for older Colorectal Cancer (CRC) patients and the healthcare system?

Post-Acute Care (PAC) services can represent a significant financial burden. Medicare spends approximately $62 billion annually on PAC services, indicating it's one of the fastest-growing costs in American healthcare. For older Colorectal Cancer (CRC) patients, the costs can include services like Home Health Care, Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs), and Long-Term Care Facilities. These expenses can impact patients, their families, and the healthcare system. Understanding who needs PAC and how to optimize its delivery is crucial to manage these costs and ensure that older CRC survivors receive the necessary support without causing undue financial strain.

How can older Colorectal Cancer (CRC) survivors and their families advocate for better Post-Acute Care (PAC) and survivorship planning?

Older Colorectal Cancer (CRC) survivors and their families can advocate for better Post-Acute Care (PAC) by actively participating in discussions about survivorship planning with healthcare providers. This includes understanding the potential need for PAC, discussing available services like Home Health Care, Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs), and Long-Term Care Facilities, and creating personalized recovery plans. They should also inquire about the factors that increase the risk of needing PAC and ensure that these are addressed. Staying informed about the latest research, seeking second opinions if needed, and openly communicating about the patient's needs and preferences are all important steps in advocating for comprehensive care.