Special issues in critical care gerontology

The numbers as well as the acuity level of the geriatric critical care patient are increasing and will continue to do so well into the 21st century. There are certain characteristics and special issues or considerations that are unique to the geriatric population. It is therefore imperative that the critical care nurse know and have an appreciation for the uniqueness of the geriatric patient to provide quality care and promote the best possible patient outcome. This article addresses clinically relevant aspects of geriatric critical care patients and offers suggestions as to how their care should be managed.