title: The patient chose to die: why?
abstract: The elderly patient's choice to die may only appear to be independent of the family's choices. Behind the patient's choice often lie implicit interpersonal as well as overt personal reasons. These must be understood in order to provide optimal care for the patient and family. Case examples of undeliberate and deliberate clarification are offered.
authors.affiliation: Family Medicine Department, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque 87131.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Montalvo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001293:Attitude to Death; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003419:Crisis Intervention; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans