Abstract

An individual is described as having autonomy if he or she is able to make and act on decisions independently, without outside influence from others. In the past, healthcare providers have assumed that older adults either did not want to participate or were incapable of participating in decision-making about their care. New evidence demonstrates that shared decision-making, between the healthcare provider and the individual, results in better care and lower costs. Decision aids are tools that enable the individual to more fully participate in decision making. Barriers exist to the consistent use of decision aids in health care practice. Healthcare providers’ acknowledgment that older adults are experts in what is important to them, and how their values and preferences inform decision making is imperative in continuing to improve the cost and quality of healthcare.