End-of-life care for persons age 80 years or older

At age 80, about 4 of every ten 10 men and 3 of every 10 women will die within 5 years. What should the very old expect of the dying experience? National data reveal that very old adults experience considerable variation in the use of the hospital during their last 6 months of life. Physicians report these patients most often need assistance with self-care, emotional support, nutrition, and pain control. In order to minimize unnecessary and expensive hospitalization and improve home management, specific terminal care guidelines are proposed and illustrated.