The Gerontologist, Vol 31, Issue 5 700-703, Copyright © 1991 by The Gerontological Society of America

ARTICLES

The patient chose to die: why?

B Montalvo
Family Medicine Department, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque 87131.

The elderly patient's choice to die may only appear to be independent of the family's choices. Behind the patient's choice often lie implicit interpersonal as well as overt personal reasons. These must be understood in order to provide optimal care for the patient and family. Case examples of undeliberate and deliberate clarification are offered.