According to Florida state government data for 2023, there were more than seventy three thousand hospital emergency room visits by adults aged 65 and older in Lee County alone. Hospital visits can be stressful and disorientating for the elderly, especially if they suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s. And although care providers often do everything right to keep their loved ones safe and healthy, accidents and medical incidents are inevitable – making visits to the emergency room a reality. Navigating the healthcare system for an elderly loved one can be challenging, so here are some tips to keep in mind:Have medications and conditions ready. It’s always a good idea to provide an accurate, up-to-date list of medications and medical conditions to the ER providers attending to your loved one. Unless the hospital has access to the electronic health record, they will not have access to this information which can be critical for effective and safe treatment. Even if your loved one has been to the hospital in the past, their information may be outdated. Present the list to the intake professional as soon as you arrive at the emergency room.
Request a call to the primary care provider. Older patients often have a long and sometimes complicated health history that the emergency physician will not be aware of. Asking the ER to connect with the primary care physician will enable better collaboration of care and clarity of diagnosis and symptoms.
Stay and advocate. A visit to the ER can lead to confusion and stress in older patients, especially if they suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s. They may not understand what is happening or what the providers are asking. For this reason, it’s important that a close family member or friend accompany him/her for the duration of the visit. The sense of familiarity will comfort the patient and the family member can ensure the care decisions are in their best interest.
Prepare for discharge. The discharge process can mean an abundance of information on the healing process and instructions for follow-up care. Helping your loved one through this part of the ER visit means at least two people are informed on critical next steps. Request they call the assisted living facility or nursing home at which the patient resides so that their staff is also fully informed. Schedule a follow-up visit with the primary care physician as soon as possible.