ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors discuss changes that occur with aging along with the challenges in the care of the older individual with terminal illness. The comprehensive geriatric assessment is important tool that provides an estimation of the patient's active life expectancy and functional reserve and identifies resources and provides relevant insight for future needs that may impact the overall therapeutic plan. Assessment of pain and other symptoms is more difficult in patient with some degree of cognitive impairment. The Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale can be administered repeatedly within the same day to allow for objective measurement of changes in delirium severity in response to medical changes or clinical interventions. In frail older patient, assessment of nutritional status is part of routine clinical evaluation. Medical providers need to be aware that spirituality is an important aspect of a person's life and belief system and contributes to overall well-being and as such needs to be incorporated in the assessment of patients.
