As the population ages, the availability and accessibility of palliative care for older adults has become a priority for public health. Although the advancement towards end of life is part of the natural progression of aging, palliative care in older adults has only recently begun to receive attention. In most countries, older adults approaching end of life encounter difficulties in accessing palliative care that is appropriate to their needs, and many will not die in their preferred setting. Compared to younger patient groups, older adults and their caregivers face unique challenges in accessing palliative care, which the majority of health care systems are ill equipped to meet.