MULTIPLE SURGERY INDICATIONS IN AN OLDER WOMAN UNDERGOING STROKE REHABILITATION - THE RATIONALE OF COMPLEX DECISION-MAKING IN GERIATRIC-MEDICINE

Chronological age should not be used as a proxy in clinical decisions. In fact, growing evidence indicates that older people often tolerate treatment as well as younger patients. Characteristics such as cogniti ve impairment and limited life expectancy are often attributed to the older patient solely on the basis of age. Based on these characteristi cs, decisions may be made to inappropriately withhold otherwise approp riate treatment, resulting in unnecessary morbidity, pain, and mortali ty. These are clearly disadvantages. Careful assessment evaluating soc ial, functional, and clinical problems leads to a global comprehension of health in the older person, thus allowing correct decision-making of clinical interventions.