[The role and specificity of palliative care networks in geriatrics]

The treatment of patients in palliative care is complex, and must be global and multi-disciplinary. With elderly patients, several elements can further complicate the situation: comorbidities, cognitive disorders, isolation, etc. Palliative care networks have a role to play in providing specialised expertise and coordination. They contribute to enabling patients to remain at home in good conditions, assist doctors with regard to specific strategies (pain and other difficult symptoms), assure a link between the different community and hospital professionals, anticipate potential problems and help to limit hospital admissions via emergency departments.