Health-related decision-making by older adults and their families: how clinicians can help

Helping frail and vulnerable individuals and their families to make the best health-related decision is difficult even in the best of circumstances. Decision-making as a discrete action is often discussed in the health care literature, but the concept that decision-making is a process is largely ignored. Understanding the basic elements of the decision-making process used by older adults and their family, or support individual(s) may help health care team members offer more substantial and meaningful assistance to the individuals who are trying to make tough health-related decisions. Full information needs to be available so all participants involved in the process can make reasonable decisions. The decision-making process is highly contextual and is based on how realistic the decision-making goals are and how congruent the experiences versus perceived expectations are, as well as the quality of options available.