Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has continuously raised debate as to whether subjecting the elderly to this intervention is futile or not. The purpose of the thesis was to gather information of elderly CA survivors from published liter ature. The aim was to synthesise information from previous studies considering the patient’s neurological and cognitive outcomes after CPR, levels of physical dependence and social behaviours. The objective was to help the elderly, care givers, nursing students and healthcare professionals to make informed deci sions when planning advanced healthcare directives for the elderly. The PICo strategy (Population or Problem, Interest, Context) was employed in extracting publications of interest in compiling a descriptive literature review.

Majority of the papers showed that elderly CPR survivors presented with negligi ble neurological deficit and could resume their daily activities post discharge. However, CPR survival rate was exceptionally low. Anxiety, depression, and feel ings of vulnerability was common in elderly survivors, reinforcing the need for psychological support.

Elderly CPR survivors achieved a decent quality of life, but it must be considered that survival decreases with age and is also reliant on other confounding factors such as, presenting cardiac rhythm, patient comorbidity and frailty status. Discus sion of advanced care directives needs more revision on the part of the healthcare professionals to help patients understand and make sound decisions in time regarding their future care. Guiding the patients on how to find security in their everyday life and support system to help them get through the ordeal expe rienced is important.