Tightrope walkers suffering in silence: A qualitative study into the experiences of older parents who have an adult child with cancer

Faced with their child's illness and possible death, older parents experience overwhelming feelings often underestimated by their (close) environment. Nurses need to be susceptible for the needs and experiences of these older parents. For care by nurses to make a difference, their attention must be directed to how older parents can be invigorated in their parenthood while respecting the child's autonomy.