What is unique about managing an elderly person with blood disorders?

We probably all know someone who is fitter than us despite being older. The key determinant of whether an elderly person can tolerate therapy depends on their fitness and function, not just age alone. Therefore, on top of the standard medical assessment, an additional review on key functional areas such as mobility, mood, medications and nutrition is often carried out. Sometimes this may lead to a referral to a geriatrician for additional support and optimisation. Also our discussion about goals of care may cover broader aspects including quality of life and maintaining independence, as well as how we can tailor our treatment to align with the person’s wishes.