[Dialysis an the elderly].

In the Netherlands, only one third of the patients of 65 years or older with terminal renal failure are currently admitted to dialysis treatment. Dialysis in older patients frequently leads to adequate survival and good subjective quality of life. In other words, age as such is not a contraindication to dialysis. Haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis have about the same clinical results in older patients, as is the case in younger age groups; the choice depends on patient-linked factors and on the patient's preference. It is to be expected that in a number of years the majority of dialysis patients will be aged 65 years or older.