Age-Friendly Cancer Trial Case Studies: Home Fall Plans & Med Review

When Margaret got the call about a promising oncology study, she felt hopeful and nervous in equal measure. At 72, she’d been managing arthritis, a few prescriptions, and stairs that felt steeper than they used to. The study coordinator didn’t start with consent forms; they asked, "How can we make this work at home for you?" That patient-first approach changed everything for Margaret.

Age friendly cancer trial enrollment checklist

The team presented a short, practical checklist that addressed safety, mobility, and medication — not just lab schedules. Across the industry, older adults account for nearly 60% of cancer diagnoses but historically make up less than a quarter of clinical trial participants, so these pragmatic steps matter. Healthcare journalists covering clinical research have noted this gap and the rise of age-focused enrollment strategies.

• Home safety assessment completed
• Home based fall prevention exercise plans provided
• Simplified medication review to prevent polypharmacy
• Caregiver or study contact identified
• Flexible visit options (telehealth or home visits) confirmed

Margaret’s case study is a useful example. The research nurse arranged a home visit, introduced a set of gentle, tailored balance exercises and a 6-week Home based fall prevention exercise plans booklet, and coordinated with her primary physician to do a Simplified medication review to prevent polypharmacy. That review found an over-the-counter sleep aid that could have interacted with trial medication — a small change that removed a big risk.

Case Study: Stroke recovery rehab studies for older adults

James, 78, joined a stroke recovery rehab study that emphasized rehabilitation at home and careful medication oversight. After his stroke, he was on five different pills; the study’s team applied a simplified medication review to prevent polypharmacy, deprescribing one unnecessary agent and adjusting doses of two others. The result was fewer side effects and better participation in his prescribed at-home therapy sessions.

"I could do the exercises in my living room and call the team if I needed help. It felt like they were treating me first, the trial second," James said.

Both stories show how small, focused interventions — from Home based fall prevention exercise plans to a checklist that centers safety — increase both enrollment and retention. Modern clinical trial platforms help streamline the search process for both patients and researchers, and in Margaret’s case, she found the study through an online matching tool that highlighted trials with home visit options. Recent trends show decentralized elements and patient-centered designs are being adopted faster than before, improving access for older adults and underrepresented groups. For sponsors and clinicians, the lesson is clear: design trials around real daily life, not just clinic timetables. If you're designing or joining a study, start with the checklist above, prioritize medication simplification, and consider home-based rehab or fall prevention supports. When the research model respects the person first, trials become more humane and more effective — and that’s a win for everyone.