Medical ethics is central to the sound practice of medicine, and in the field of geriatrics in particular, difficult ethical dilemmas are faced almost every day. This concise, introductory handbook discusses the basic principles of medical ethics, and includes practical, realistic guidance on how to evaluate and manage common ethical problems, focusing on the care of elderly patients. Typical scenarios faced in clinical practice, such as issues of mental capacity and consent, resuscitation, near death decisions, quality of life, and health care expenditure, are discussed. Example cases illustrating specific situations are included throughout.