As Geriatric medicine has lengthened peoples lives many practical and ethical questions have come to the forefront.

The cost of taking care of over 70 million Americans over 85 that will be 20% of the adult population in the United States will be overwhelming.

Only 1/20 of these old old people will be fully mobile, all will need extensive private care. The numbers are staggering and the emotional strain on the families substantial. As getting older has become more prevalent due to medical advances, quality of life in those extra years has certainly not kept up. The chronic illnesses that need to be treated and monitored can debilitate even the most caring and loving family.

 
A study was done that showed that even with 3 daughters or daughters in Law the chances of a person ending his life in a nursing home was 50/50.

 
For those who are determined to keep their older parents out of nursing homes the task can be monumental. There are 24 /7 private nurse needs and frequent house calls that can drain finances and strain families.

 
The ethical concerns are both draining and complicated especially if there is lingering pain and obvious suffering on the part of the patient. When should a family decide that enough is enough. When not to opt for more medical intervention. Even if the person has given instructions not to unnecessarily prolong life when suffering is involved, children are confused in anguish and often cannot make rational decisions.

 
For those alone who need to deal with their medical problems and a unclear future the suffering is great. No one to really lean on and no one to turn to has to be emotionally debilitating .Even the most dedicated nursing home staff cannot provide the emotional needs that a aging sick person requires.

 
All involved in the handling of this elderly boom probably see themselves  somewhere down the line in a similar situation and maybe anguish over their own unpredictable future. Will they themselves lose their independence ? Will they need to completely depend on someone else for support and basic day to day activity?

 
Those that are a part of decisions on what to do to a parent who is old are not making undetached decisions. Not at all.