Ahmed M B
University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, USA.
Tex Med. 1998 Mar;94(3):64-7.
The elderly population in the United States is increasing gradually. Estimates project that during the next 50 years 21% of the population, or approximately 70 million people, will be older than 65 years. Various medical and psychiatric disorders produce cognitive disturbances that result in temporary or permanent incompetence. That incompetence will affect an individual's decision-making capacity and ability to give informed consent. Problems exist related to obtaining informed consent from the elderly and distinguishing between incapacitated versus incompetent individuals. Physicians are responsible for providing information to their patients about a durable power of attorney for health care, a living will, and "do not resuscitate" orders, before they lose their capacity to make decisions related to their health care. Informed consent, living wills, durable power of attorney for health care, and guardianship are discussed.
美国老年人口正在逐渐增加。据估计，在未来50年里，21%的人口，即约7000万人，年龄将超过65岁。各种医学和精神疾病会导致认知障碍，从而造成暂时或永久性的无行为能力。这种无行为能力会影响个人的决策能力和给予知情同意的能力。在从老年人那里获得知情同意以及区分无行为能力者和无资格者方面存在问题。医生有责任在患者失去做出与医疗保健相关决策的能力之前，向他们提供有关医疗保健持久授权书、生前遗嘱和“不要复苏”医嘱的信息。本文将讨论知情同意、生前遗嘱、医疗保健持久授权书和监护权。
