Oncoming tides in the Age(ing) of Aquarius

Abstract

The demographic shift in the age of most industrialized countries' populations is profoundly impacting all areas of healthcare, perhaps nowhere more so than critical care. As the proportion of elderly patients increases, so to will our consideration for admission of elderly patients to the intensive care unit (ICU). Whether explicitly acknowledged or not, intensivists routinely debate (both inwardly and outwardly) the benefit, utility, and patient-focused dignity of admitting very elderly patients to the ICU. Despite the apparent increase in demand for, and provision of critical care services to, the elderly, there are few data on the outcomes from these admissions, and how one might predict which elderly patients are most likely to derive benefit from the invasive and resource-intensive services provided in modern ICUs.