Optimizing care for critically ill older adults
Olivia Geen, Bram Rochwerg, Xuyi Mimi Wang
Abstract
s populations age worldwide, and medical advances enable a high quality of life into the eighth, ninth and even tenth decades of life, there have been increased admissions to intensive care units (ICUs) among adults aged 65 years and older (older adults). Older adults now account for more than 50% of patients in ICUs in Canada. Critically ill older adults are a unique population with distinct care requirements owing to physiologic and pathologic changes associated with aging. We review best practice in the care of critically ill older adults, drawing on available evidence (see Box 1). We discuss integration of evidence-based geriatric principles into ICU care, the importance of identifying pre-existing frailty in older adults, measures to prevent and treat delirium, and optimization of post-ICU care.