Consider the individual's life expectancy, condition and preferences to avoid extensive and unnecessary treatments or hospital admissions. Always assess the benefits of interventions and treatments. 

Rationale 

Hospital admissions and treatments can lead to delirium, infections, adverse effects from medications and treatments, sleep disturbances, and loss of function and mobility. The risk of these complications is higher for frail older adults, who often have diseases in multiple organs, reduced function, and dementia. To prevent these burdens, all frail elderly adults should be offered advance care planning. This includes evaluating and balancing the benefits and risks of various treatments and hospital admissions in light of prognosis, preferences, and indications. Advance care planning can improve palliative care and contribute to a better end-of-life experience.  
 
References  

• Helsedirektoratet (2023). Forhåndssamtaler og planlegging ved begrenset forventet levetid [nettdokument]. Oslo: Helsedirektoratet (siste faglige endring 06. desember 2023, lest 17. juni 2024). Tilgjengelig fra https://www.helsedirektoratet.no/faglige-rad/Forhandssamtaler-og-planlegging-ved-begrenset-forventet-levetid 
• Detering, K. M. et al (2010). "The impact of advance care planning on end of life care in elderly patients: randomised controlled trial." BMJ 340: c1345.  
• Creditor, M. C. (1993). "Hazards of hospitalization of the elderly." Ann Intern Med 118(3): 219-223. 
• Inouye, S. K., R. G. Westendorp and J. S. Saczynski (2014). "Delirium in elderly people." Lancet 383(9920): 911-922. 
• Tulsky, J. A. (2005). "Beyond advance directives: importance of communication skills at the end of life." JAMA 294(3): 359-365.