Abstrakt
PN is a safe and effective therapeutic procedure and age per se is not a reason to exclude patients from this treatment. The use of PN should always be balanced against a realistic chance of improvement in the general condition of the patient.
Lower glucose tolerance, electrolyte and micronutrient deficiencies and lower fluid tolerance should be assumed in older patients treated by PN. Parenteral nutrition can be administered either via peripheral or central veins.
Subcutaneous administration is also a possible solution for basic hydration of moderately dehydrated subjects. In the terminal, demented or dying patient the use of PN or hydration should only be given in accordance with other palliative treatments.