This book is designed to present an overview of common geriatrics ethical issues that arise
during patient care and research activities. Each chapter includes a case example and practical
learning pearls that are useful in day-to-day patient care. Coverage includes a brief overview
of geriatric epidemiology highlighting the high rates of dementia use of surrogate decisions
makers at the end-of-life relocation from home to long-term care facilities and low health
literacy in the geriatrics population. Sections are devoted to issues around capacity
surrogate decision making end-of-life care hemodialysis in the elderly and futility as well
as challenges presented by independence questions such as dementia care driving feeding and
intimacy in nursing homes. The text also addresses questions around recognizing reporting and
treating elder abuse and self-neglect ethics related to research and technology in the
geriatric population and the use of e-mail Facebook and open notes. Written by experts in
the field Ethical Considerations and Challenges in Geriatrics is a valuable tool for trainees
at a variety of levels including medical students residents and fellows. In addition it
provides practical guidance and a useful reference for practicing geriatricians primary care
physicians geriatric nurses social workers nursing home workers hospice care employees and
all medical health professionals working with the elderly.
