[The elderly dialysis patient]

By the experience of two smaller dialysis centers the prognosis and problems of dialysis therapy in older patients are described. The age in the onset of dialysis treatment ranged from 45 to 54 years. In the beginning of dialysis the average life expectancy of older patients is markedly lower in comparison with younger patients, but remarkable in single cases with more than 4 and 5 years. The problems of adaptation and complications do require much attention and allowance. Contra-indications to dialysis therapy in older patients could not be explained. The demand for a stronger consideration of this patient group in planning of dialysis capacity is established through an international comparison and a possible rehabilitation of the patients.