When to Go for Specialized Senior ER Care

When to Go for Specialized Senior ER Care

The management of geriatric conditions requires specialized care from a team of clinicians, physicians, nurses, dieticians, therapists, and pharmacists. Generally, persons over the age of 65 are considered old and are prone to more illnesses than those below 65. For this reason, geriatrics or the elderly require special care. When an emergency occurs, it is wise to rush a senior to a specialized ER for proper care. In the following article, Frontline ER explains when to go to a Specialized senior ER.

When Should You Go to A Senior’s ER?

Elderly people face conditions that are beyond those faced by younger adults. If you have an elderly parent or grandparent, and they have conditions out of the ordinary, it is safer to rush them to a specialized senior ER. Even if the entire ER is not specialized like at Frontline ER, visit an emergency room that has a wing dedicated to the care of the elderly.

Geriatrics also have mental conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, which if not properly addressed, could lead to loss of life. An ER facility staffed with professionals will identify medical issues that require immediate treatment, even if the patient in question is unable to communicate effectively.

Any illness that requires immediate medical assistance warrants a visit to a specialized senior ER. Symptoms such as pain, dizziness, nausea, unexplainable sweating, and loss of consciousness should be dealt with immediately, and the underlying cause identified in the emergency room. With a specialized ER, an elderly patient can receive urgent treatment immediately, instead of waiting in line.

Unlike other patients, senior patients need:

Maintenance of Dignity

Elderly patients are sometimes unable to take care of their personal needs. They may need assistance to bath, walk, go to the bathroom, and even brush their teeth. Unfortunately, healthcare givers not trained to take care of the elderly may abuse or neglect elderly patients, especially if they find them exhausting. By rushing your loved one to a specialized facility, you will be at peace, because they will receive the care they deserve, thus preserving their dignity.

Walking and Mobility Assistance

A variety of conditions could render a senior patient unable to walk. A specialized senior ER recognizes that regular physical movement is crucial for proper healing to take place. The ER will take into consideration the limitations of comfort such as stairs, slippery floors, and even getting in and out of bed. Assistance will also be provided for patients that cannot walk on their own.

Transfer and Posture Positioning

In addition to mobility assistance, a specialized senior ER can provide regular movement for the patients, and also ensure that every patient sits well when eating or watching the television. Assistance is also provided when getting in and out of bed to avoid accidents.

Continence and Toileting Care

Professional senior caregivers understand the complexity of urinary and bowel care. With the help of trained caregivers, the elderly patients can receive proper toileting care, to ensure that they stay clean, healthy and fresh. Specialized caregivers also understand how toileting care affects the comfort self-esteem and even social life of a senior. In a specialized ER, your loved one will receive adequate care without being shunned or reprimanded for lack of control over bladder and bowel movements.

Special Diets and Meal Preparation      

The elderly need  specialized meals to ensure that their health is maintained, and also for easier digestion. In order to ensure that all their nutritional meals are meat, a specialized ER is staffed with nutritionists and doctors who collaborate to handle a range of conditions. For example, people with diabetes require different meals from those without it. Additionally, diabetes varies among patients, which means that the nutritional needs should be customized to suit each patient.

Eating Assistance

Some patients have physical, emotional and mental challenges that may prevent them from feeding themselves. Skipping meals and poor eating habits could lead to the rapid deterioration of health in an elderly patient. While younger adults can get away with skipping meals, geriatrics cannot. Healthy eating is crucial to their performance, and in a specialized ER, caregivers ensure that every patient finishes their meals.

Oral Health Care

It is easy to neglect the oral health of an elderly patient. Also, seniors may forget to brush and floss, wear dentures, and not notice signs or oral infection. However, a specialized facility will ensure that your loved one is taken care of.

Features of a Specialized ER care

A geriatric care facility is expected to maintain an environment that is conducive for the provision of care, treatment, and medical services

Nurses and physicians trained to care for the elderly.

Individualized care planning

Geriatric reclining chairs

Hearing and visual aids

Large faced boards, calendars, and clocks on the walls of the care facility

Non-skid floor surfaces, and handrails for support

Landscaped lighting in the rooms

Comfortable mattresses

Soundproof rooms

Large keyboards on telephones

For more information on the importance and advantages of taking your loved on to a specialized senior ER care facility, visit Frontline ER for professional services.

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