PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - G S Robertson
TI  - Dealing with the brain-damaged old--dignity before sanctity.
AID  - 10.1136/jme.8.4.173
DP  - 1982 Dec 01
TA  - Journal of Medical Ethics
PG  - 173--179
VI  - 8
IP  - 4
4099  - http://jme.bmj.com/content/8/4/173.short
4100  - http://jme.bmj.com/content/8/4/173.full
SO  - J Med Ethics1982 Dec 01; 8
AB  - The present and future rapid increase in the hospital population of geriatric patients is discussed with particular reference to the problem of advanced brain degeneration. The consequences of various clinical management options are outlined and it is suggested that extreme attempts either to preserve or terminate life are medically, morally and socially unacceptable. The preservation of life in senile patients has important economic consequences. In achieving a decision on the medical management of patients with advanced brain decay it is suggested that substantial help would be derived from: knowledge of the previously declared wishes of individual patients; improvements in geriatric assessments; broader consultation with relatives, and greater use of inter-disciplinary discussion in the preparation of criteria for terminating medical efforts to maintain survival.