Australasian journal on ageing
-
Voluntary stopping of eating and drinking in advance directives for adults with late-stage dementia.
The objective of this paper is to explore the ethical and legal validity of advance directives that request the voluntary stopping of eating and drinking against a backdrop of late-stage dementia. ⋯ Voluntary stopping of eating and drinking should be viewed in law as a form of "treatment" that competent adults can nominate in advance directives, thereby providing dementia patients with the opportunity to choose in advance, if they wish, to end their life legally, with dignity and comfort, and in a manner that does not implicate others in criminal behaviour such as assisted suicide, acceleration of death or euthanasia.
-
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of falls, fear of falling (FOF) and related factors in individuals aged 80 and over living in the Balçova district of Izmir. ⋯ A monitoring program is indicated to address high fall and fear of falling prevalence among people aged 80 and over.
-
To identify the attitudes of Australian and New Zealand geriatricians to legalisation of voluntary assisted dying. ⋯ Support for voluntary assisted dying among surveyed ANZSGM members is low, but varies according to patient circumstances. Key areas of concern highlighted were risk to vulnerable patients, estimating prognosis, and capacity assessments. Further training is required for doctors on discussing voluntary assisted dying options, estimating prognosis, and capacity assessments prior to implementation.
-
To systematically review literature reporting processes, impact and outcomes of medication review and reconciliation in Australian residential aged care facilities (RACFs). ⋯ Medication review may be a useful strategy to identify and prompt resolution of MRPs. However, the impact on clinical and resident-centred outcomes remains unclear.