The end-of-life support older people receive is an important aspect of high
quality health and social care, especially for those with chronic diseases. To provide
high-quality end-of-life care, it is important to clarify with patients their values and
goals in treatment through advanced care planning. Such an approach improves the
concordance between expressed preferences for care and delivery of care as well as the
satisfaction with care. Available research indicates that majority of older people would
like the opportunity to discuss their end-of-life care but there are still barriers to such
conversations. End-of-life care of older people with chronic diseases should focus on
identifying and treating symptoms. Therefore, in end-of-life care, medications which
are not intended for symptom control should be avoided.
Keywords: Advance care planning, Carers, Decision-making, Dying, End-of-life,
Palliative care, Quality of life, Resuscitation, Terminally ill, Treatment
withdrawal.
