Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2006 , Vol 52 , Num 1

End-of-life Care For the Elderly Patient

M. Akif Karan 1
1 İstanbul Üniversitesi İstanbul Tıp Fakültesi, İç Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı, Geriatri Bilim Dalı, İstanbul

The term of “the end of life” may be defined as that time when death -whether due to terminal illness, acute or chronic illness, or age itself- is expected within weeks to months and can no longer be reasonably forestalled by medical intervention. For patients at the end of life, maximizing the quality of life -rather than postponing death- is the first priority of care. The patients at the end of life may experience a host of bothersome symptoms such as pain, dyspnea, nausea, vomiting and depression. Symptoms at this period that cause disability and suffering must be considered medical emergencies and managed aggressively. “Do-not-attempt-resuscitation” order is not legal according to the Turkish laws. 

Keywords : End-of-life, pain, dyspnea, vomiting, depression, do-not-attempt resuscitatio