‘Too old for surgery’ a more complicated decision
Marie McCullough of The Philadelphia Inquirer takes a look at lifesaving surgeries performed on older patients, finding that “Age is no longer the deciding factor, even for invasive treatment such as open-heart surgery.”
McCullough reports that the growing population of elderly Americans and advances in surgical procedures are changes the way doctors approach some older patients. With elderly patients better able to survive major surgery, the question moves from the realm of health to that of economics and morality. McCullough explores both.
Blogger, author and doctor Lucy E. Hornstein extends McCullough’s conclusions, writing that “A cost-effective, medically appropriate way to address this issue is to curb overtreatment in those patients with advanced dementia and multiple co-morbidites, whatever their age.”
Upcoming workshop
AHCJ’s Aging in the 21st Century workshop, to be held Oct. 16 and 17 in Miami, will address some of the topics raised above, as well as the changing picture of aging Americans and key research and issues related to this growing population.
Tip sheets
Aging Nation: Troublesome Health Care Issues
Headlines an advocate for seniors would like to see
The impact of aging upon health care
Covering nursing homes and other issues of aging
How will retiring boomers affect the national health agenda?
You Can Run, but You Can’t Hide: Policy and Problems in Long-Term Care
Biology of Aging: Sources and Resources
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