title: Ethics and the elderly.
abstract: The elderly are most often the focus of ethical dilemmas, not only because of the increased frequency of illness, but also because of the reality that death is an impending inevitability. Of all the health care professionals, it is the primary care physician who is best situated to assist the elderly patient in exercising his or her own autonomy in matters concerning health care decisions. Both intrinsic factors, such as the presence of dementia and delerium associated with acute illness, and extrinsic factors, including the family's wishes, the settings of care, and financial consideration, may influence decision making. Limited diagnostic and therapeutic interventions should be addressed as separate entities in the development of the patient care plan.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Taler
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Waymack
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D026686:Beneficence; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D028681:Moral Obligations; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D018579:Patient Selection; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D011320:Primary Health Care; D028761:Withholding Treatment