Abstract
The present and future rapid increase in the hospital population of geriatric patients is discussed with particular reference to the problem of advanced brain degeneration. The consequences of various clinical management options are outlined and it is suggested that extreme attempts either to preserve or terminate life are medically, morally and socially unacceptable. The preservation of life in senile patients has important economic consequences. In achieving a decision on the medical management of patients with advanced brain decay it is suggested that substantial help would be derived from: knowledge of the previously declared wishes of individual patients; improvements in geriatric assessments; broader consultation with relatives, and greater use of inter-disciplinary discussion in the preparation of criteria for terminating medical efforts to maintain survival.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Clarke M. G., Williams A. J., Jones P. A. A psychogeriatric survey of old people's homes. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1981 Nov 14;283(6302):1307–1310. doi: 10.1136/bmj.283.6302.1307. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Harris J. Ethical problems in the management of some severely handicapped children. J Med Ethics. 1981 Sep;7(3):117–124. doi: 10.1136/jme.7.3.117. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Mooney G. H. Cost-benefit analysis and medical ethics. J Med Ethics. 1980 Dec;6(4):177–179. doi: 10.1136/jme.6.4.177. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]