title: Symptom management in the older adult.
abstract: Palliative care begins at the time of diagnosis of a life-threatening illness and continues beyond the time of death. Defined in the broadest sense, the goal of palliative care is to provide aggressive symptom management and address the psychological and spiritual needs of the patient and the family. This article reviews the management of some symptoms commonly observed in older patients, highlighting treatment considerations specific to the older population. Ultimately the approach to symptoms must be individualized, and treatment decisions must reflect the patient's goals of care. Although symptom management in older patients may be challenging, it is possible to provide care that significantly enhances quality of life throughout the course of illness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 676 North St. Clair Street, Suite 850, Chicago, IL 60611-2927, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Jamie H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Von Roenn
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D013727:Terminal Care