Frailty: An Indication for Palliative Care

Early re‐presentation to hospital after discharge from an acute medical unit: perspectives of older patients, their family caregivers and health professionals

“…A palliative approach to managing symptoms and related distress, establishing goals of care and treatment plans and facilitating communication is recognised as appropriate in the care of frail older people on deteriorating trajectories (Raudonis & Daniel , Australian Government Department of Health & Ageing ). Care informed by a palliative philosophy ensures the identification and inclusion of the family caregiver, holds quality of life (and death) as central tenets, and is appropriate on a needs basis during a life‐limiting illness (Kristjanson et al .…”

Frailty in older adults: Implications for end-of-life care

“…23 An interdisciplinary team approach can ensure all components of palliation are effectively delivered, such as easing symptoms, providing psychosocial and spiritual support, and improving quality of life. 24…”

Palliative care for frail older people: A cross-sectional survey of patients at two hospitals in England

“…The findings suggest that there is little correlation between palliative care need (as defined by the GSF criteria), and transitions to a palliative care approach. Whilst the positive impact of specialist palliative care for patients with cancer is now well established, there is less evidence exploring whether the care required by frail older patients at the end of life is most effectively delivered within the framework of specialist palliative care [24].Whilst the Gold Standards Framework suggests that patients with frailty conditions should be considered for palliative care input, there is little guidance as to who should provide this care, and what level of specialist input is appropriate for this group [20]. A care approach provided by an interdisciplinary care team, which seeks to relieve suffering and improve quality of life, has been internationally advocated for frail patients at the end of life [24].…”

“…Whilst the positive impact of specialist palliative care for patients with cancer is now well established, there is less evidence exploring whether the care required by frail older patients at the end of life is most effectively delivered within the framework of specialist palliative care [24].Whilst the Gold Standards Framework suggests that patients with frailty conditions should be considered for palliative care input, there is little guidance as to who should provide this care, and what level of specialist input is appropriate for this group [20]. A care approach provided by an interdisciplinary care team, which seeks to relieve suffering and improve quality of life, has been internationally advocated for frail patients at the end of life [24]. In the UK, guidelines from the British Geriatrics Society (BGS) have acknowledged the importance of comprehensive geriatric assessment for the frail elderly, and have placed increased emphasis on the crucial role of the geriatrician in the provision of palliative and end of life care for older people [25].…”