End of Life Care in Older People

Abstract

The end-of-life support older people receive is an important aspect of high quality health and social care, especially for those with chronic diseases. To provide high-quality end-of-life care, it is important to clarify with patients their values and goals in treatment through advanced care planning. Such an approach improves the concordance between expressed preferences for care and delivery of care as well as the satisfaction with care. Available research indicates that majority of older people would like the opportunity to discuss their end-of-life care but there are still barriers to such conversations. End-of-life care of older people with chronic diseases should focus on identifying and treating symptoms. Therefore, in end-of-life care, medications which are not intended for symptom control should be avoided.

Keywords: Advance care planning, Carers, Decision-making, Dying, End-of-life, Palliative care, Quality of life, Resuscitation, Terminally ill, Treatment withdrawal.