Appropriate care for the elderly in the ICU
Jean‐Louis Vincent, Jacques Créteur
Abstract
Life expectancy is rising worldwide and increasing numbers of elderly patients are being admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Because ageing is associated with changes in organ function, increased frailty, reduced activities of daily living, reduced mobility, and reduced cognition, elderly patients represent a particular subgroup of ICU patients. Ethical decisions related to the appropriateness of intensive care and/or life-sustaining interventions, the withdrawing and withholding of life support, and terminal sedation are more frequent in these patients and will be discussed in this review. Such decisions must be tailored to the individual to take into consideration personal beliefs and wishes.
Topics & Concepts
MedicineLife expectancyIntensive care unitPsychological interventionIntensive care medicineSedationIntensive careCognitionGerontologyNursingPsychiatrySurgeryPopulationEnvironmental healthPalliative Care and End-of-Life IssuesIntensive Care Unit Cognitive DisordersFamily and Patient Care in Intensive Care Units