Prescribing for the elderly: ethical considerations
Hanan KhalilDepartment of Rural and Indigenous Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, PO Box 973, Moe, Vic. 3825, Australia. Email: hanan.khalil@monash.edu
Australian Journal of Primary Health 17(1) 2-3 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY10052
Submitted: 30 August 2010 Accepted: 17 October 2010 Published: 16 March 2011
Abstract
This article reports on a few ethical considerations associated with prescribing for the elderly. A large number of elderly people are on several medications for the treatment of various chronic conditions that develop with age. Most of these treatments involve symptom management and prevention of symptoms likely to occur from untreated diseases. Serious consideration should be given when prescribing for the elderly. These include: allowing the elderly and their families to be involved in their treatment; social support; and cost–benefit considerations. A lack of clear therapeutic guidelines exists for prescribing in this group of people that is confounded by factors such as quality of life and life expectancy.
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