Manuscript submission / Evaluation
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Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
2006 , Vol 52 , Num 1
End-of-life Care For the Elderly Patient
The term of “the end of life” may be defined as that time when death -whether due to terminal illness, acute or chronic illness, or age itself- is expected within weeks to months and can no longer be reasonably forestalled by medical intervention. For patients at the end of life, maximizing the quality of life -rather than postponing death- is the first priority of care. The patients at the end of life may experience a host of bothersome symptoms such as pain, dyspnea, nausea, vomiting and depression. Symptoms at this period that cause disability and suffering must be considered medical emergencies and managed aggressively. “Do-not-attempt-resuscitation” order is not legal according to the Turkish laws.
Keywords : End-of-life, pain, dyspnea, vomiting, depression, do-not-attempt resuscitatio