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Research Priorities in Palliative Care for Older Adults

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Meeting the Needs of Older Adults with Serious Illness

Part of the book series: Aging Medicine ((AGME))

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Abstract

Society is facing one of the largest public health challenges in its history—the growth of the population of older adults. Improvements in public health, the discovery of antibiotics, and advances in modern medicine have resulted in unprecedented gains in human longevity. For most Americans, the years after age 65 are a time of good health, independence, and integration of a life’s work and experience. Eventually, however, most adults will develop one or more chronic illnesses with which they may live for many years before they die. Over three-quarters of deaths in the USA are due to chronic diseases of the heart, lungs, brain, and other vital organs. Abundant evidence suggests that the advanced stages of disease for most are characterized by inadequately treated physical distress; fragmented care systems; poor communication between doctors, patients, and families; and enormous strains on family caregiver and support systems.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA

    R. Sean Morrison M.D.

Authors
  1. R. Sean Morrison M.D.
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Correspondence to R. Sean Morrison M.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA

    Amy S. Kelley

  2. Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA

    Diane E. Meier

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Morrison, R.S. (2014). Research Priorities in Palliative Care for Older Adults. In: Kelley, A., Meier, D. (eds) Meeting the Needs of Older Adults with Serious Illness. Aging Medicine. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0407-5_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0407-5_15

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-0406-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-0407-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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