The Sensitive Care of the Elder Orphan in Critical Care Environments

All patients within critical care units are vulnerable and many of them are unable to communicate their wishes and needs to the caregivers treating their acute critical illness. This inability to communicate is why interdisciplinary intensive care teams across the country heavily rely on spouses, children, siblings, parents, other next of kin, or other designated medical durable power of attorneys to advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. Unfortunately, there is a growing population of elder orphans who lack this support system when they need it the most.