Is it harder to get medical treatment for people over 75 years old?

Have you considered a Pain Management Specialist? I don't know if you will need a referral or not, if you do, get one.

My hubby is 88 almost 89 with Alzheimer's, we recently decided not to do more testing on his hearing. What they would be looking for is a tumor in his brain. If he has one, we aren't going to do anything about it anyway, so why do the test? I don't do mammograms, or CAT scans on a mass in my chest which is benign. I have had it so long if it was malignant I would be dead. I also am not going to do any more PAP smears.

I used to be 5'9" today I am 5'3". I am in constant pain. I am seeing a Pain Management doctor. We are starting off with the least invasive procedures, which is Physical Therapy. I suggested it, it isn't working, but I wanted to try the lest invasive part first.

I had breast cancer diagnosed at age 71. I was treated with lumpectomy, chemo, and radiation. At the end of all treatments, I discussed possibility of recurrence. Tests like MRI were discussed. My doctor told me they would not do tests like that as it would not save my life/change the outcome. I did mammograms for a few years, then reached the point where I decided I would not put myself through any heroics were I to develop cancer again. I’m 80 now.

Like nearly everything else concerning folks in their 80's and 90's, this is a complicated question with various answers that depend on circumstances. I am almost 70 and my mother is 96. Needless to say, many of my aunts, uncles, friends, and all my grandparents have died from one thing or another. Some of the conditions that ended in death would have been treated/cured in a younger patient. Some of these elderly relatives/friends tried treatment and died anyway, others refused treatment. Of course, there were times when an elderly relative/friend was treated and lived another 5 or 10 or 20 years.

The questions that we have been asked when one of our loved ones has been considered for one of these expensive diagnostics have implied an age bias of sorts, but in an appropriate way. They were variations of these 2 questions: Will the patient want to pursue treatment if the outcome indicates a treatable condition? and Will the patient survive the treatment if it is indicated? I think these are valid questions. It would be unfair to the elderly not to ask them.

Perhaps you misunderstood. It is not that Medicare quits paying for some kinds of tests or procedures, it is a matter of whether they are really indicated for the very old. It depends entirely upon whether the patient could endure the treatment, if indicated. Strong, robust persons in their 80's and 90's do sometimes get these tests and survive the treatments for the conditions revealed. More often there are enough complicating conditions that treatment would really be torture, without promise of either extending or improving life.

In my mother's case, she has opted to not accept surgical options for current and future medical issues. She is somewhat frail and experiences a fair amount of pain as part of her "normal" existence as it is. She would rather take comfort care than extend her life. In various ways we, her daughters, support her decision. We have differing attitudes, but support Mom's right to choose her treatment options. Her doctors are pretty good about explaining what the results of tests might mean, medically, and what options would be presented. If she is not interested in any of the treatment options then the doctor(s) normally suggest she simply not take the test and just see what happens. If she were to say that she would want treatment, they would recommend the tests. She has been doing this for more than 10 years now. She has prescriptions for as much pain medication as she wants, though she doesn't take much. This has been a good option for her, though she has confided in me that it is taking a bit too long to die.

For me, I no longer take mammograms, though I do get a colonoscopy every 5 years. Reason? I would not have a mastectomy, but the colonoscopy does remove polyps that might become cancerous. I am open to office procedures, but probably not major surgery. I had 2 knee replacements a few years ago and I love the new mobility that I have. When they wear out in 15 or 20 years, though, I doubt that I will do it again. I will retire to an electric scooter and a senior residence. That means that, since I have no intention of redoing the surgery, there will be no CT scans when the joints start failing. Why go to that expense when it will not change the outcome? It will be somewhat related to age, but more a matter of a wise use of limiting expensive testing to those who are ready to undertake treatment the tests indicate.

I believe that these realities are easier to accept for those of us who are getting up there in years than they are for our children, whose lives are still wide open with possibilities. My sons, not quite 50, do not want to see me leave them, but I understand that the time will come. I was in their position 20 years ago. I understand.

The squeaky wheel gets the grease when it comes to medical care.

Adviocate strongly, loudly and persistently with doctors and insurers to get the best results.

My Mom is 93 and I have not had trouble finding medical care for her. The problem has been finding professionals that are capable of dealing with an elderly person, can recognize issues specific to aging, and are able to work with me on appropriate treatments.

Mom was advised to get a heart valve replacement. I kept asking if it was a good idea for someone her age, 91. The surgeon told me sure, they could do it. I wanted to know if they SHOULD, not if they COULD. I believe the procedure and medications have advanced her dementia, so now we have a 93 year old with no memory but a good heart.