The title of a press release regarding a recent study published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine elicited a wry smile. The clever wording, “Seniors Are Not Just Wrinkly Adults” took a little jab at those who need to be reminded not to merely lump our elders into anyone over 30 (or now is it 40? Or 20?!), just as we know not to treat children simply as littler people. The reality is that each decade presents its own healthcare challenges (that may then be subdivided according to individual health situations), and cookie cutter approaches don’t cut it. Especially with regard to persons in their golden years.
The study, Profiles of Older Patients in the Emergency Department: Findings from the InterRAI Multinational Emergency Department Study, available at http://tinyurl.com/npenmba, found that elders require specialized care to avoid missed diagnoses, pressure ulcers, and a range of other potential problems associated with this age group. I was particularly pleased to see that pressure ulcers made the list of issues of which ER departments need to be aware. OWM has published studies demonstrating the need for awareness that a busy emergency department can keep you sitting or lying for hours before and during treatment, positions and time frames that facilitate formation of ulcers that will exacerbate the original condition for which the person presented. Couple that with already age-compromised skin and existing comorbidities and you have a recipe for stageable disaster.
Practitioners, caregivers, and patients should remain mindful that the wrinkly among us should be afforded a few extra precautions when requiring emergent care.
Leave a comment