ABSTRACT
A dramatic increase in the number of people living into their 70s, 80s and 90s calls for attention to be drawn to the treatment and care of mental health issues that typically present in this population. Palliative principles such as high-quality assessment, managing pain and symptom control and adopting a person-centred approach have long been viewed as best practice in helping people experiencing life-limiting conditions to live as well as possible, for as long as possible. In applying this approach to the care of older adults experiencing mental health difficulties however, the practitioner will likely be presented with a unique set of challenges including but not limited to issues of capacity, consent and communication difficulties. This chapter seeks to explore the ethical complexities of applying a palliative approach to clinical practice in older adults, considering issues such as capacity to consent, communication difficulties, the use of standardised assessment tools, and more. Reflective practice exercises throughout the chapter are designed to encourage the practitioner to reflect on and explore their own attitudes and dispositions with regard to the care of the elderly.
