Using Geriatric Assessment Strategies to Lead End-of-Life Care Discussions

Abstract

End-of-life discussions with geriatric oncology patients are a vital part of the comprehensive care of the senior adult patient. Developing a roadmap for these conversations can be challenging. Patients and caregivers may have expectations that are not concordant with what is reasonably achievable if the patient is frail. Measuring baseline cognition, nutritional status, and physical function and discussing goals of care are all essential pieces of information that can be obtained through a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). Objective findings from the CGA can be crucial in developing end-of-life care plans that reflect both the patient’s health status and personal values.