[Palliative care of the aged]

Area of Science:

• Geriatrics
• Palliative Care
• Oncology

Background:

• Palliative care has expanded beyond terminal cancer to encompass other end-stage diseases.
• Geriatric care increasingly involves end-of-life support for elderly patients.
• Advanced Alzheimer disease is now a focus within terminal care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the evolving scope of palliative care in geriatrics.
• To emphasize the multifaceted approach required for end-of-life care in the elderly.
• To address the unique challenges in symptom management and medical prescription for older adults.

Main Methods:

• Review of current practices in geriatric palliative care.
• Analysis of medical, psychological, and social support strategies.
• Consideration of atypical symptom presentation in the elderly.
• Evaluation of pharmacotherapy adjustments for age-related changes in metabolism and side effect profiles.

Main Results:

• End-of-life care in geriatric settings requires integrated medical, psychological, and social interventions.
• Symptom expression, particularly pain, can be atypical in elderly patients.
• Altered drug metabolism and increased side effect frequency necessitate careful medical prescription.
• Adequate personnel, training, and support are crucial for effective care.

Conclusions:

• Palliative care for the elderly, including those with advanced non-cancer diseases, demands a holistic and specialized approach.
• Geriatric institutions must prioritize adapted staffing, ongoing training, and social support systems.
• Optimizing medical management by considering age-specific physiological changes is essential for improving end-of-life care quality.