This seems like a no brainer. I know of older patients who go to lengths to avoid going to the hospital because the experience creates such anxiety. On the other hand, I visited my primary care physician the other day and was very taken with the kindness of the staff. When a nurse asked how I was feeling and I reported some troubling symptoms, he said, feelingly, "I'm so sorry to hear that." And I believed him. It was a small thing that made a big difference.
Never even considered the different needs of an older segment. Makes complete sense as I visit my 83 year old sister who was I. The ER two days ago and would have benefited mightily should such a thing exist.
An 89 years old friend recently shared her experience in the emergency room with me. Not a pretty picture. It seems like efforts to address geriatric care, both in the acute setting and otherwise, have been afoot for some years at the UW - Wisconsin school of medicine. We should ask anyone running for office to share their agenda with regard to health care, and geriatric care specifically.
It makes all the sense on the world. My mom went to one at Holy Cross Hospital in Wheaton, MD, and things went better than they would have in a regular ER--no wait for a room, higher ratio of nursing staff. I don't know if they were specially trained for geriatric cases. (It was hard to tell from her report. It was her first time as a hospital patient since giving birth to me 7 decades ago, so she had no basis for comparison and was outraged to have to wait any time for anything. Fortunately, it was a short stay.)
What a great idea. i just got back from visiting my 95 year old dad in Florida. He had a fall while we (all the siblings ) were there he was out alone. I believe he slipped on a wet floor at the Knights of Colombus (don't get me started). He went to Urgent care the next day with what ultimately turned out to be a sprained wrist. I think his experience was OK but I love the concept of a geriatric ER for those times when urgent care wont suffice.
A lot of these improvements would help all patients - fewer monitors for adequate sleep, better surroundings, no fluorescent lighting, doctors who are paid to take the time to listen and look out for complicated diagnoses, patient focused forms, etc. I can't help but wonder if the solution isn't a "separate but equal" but an overhaul of emergency rooms altogether.
This seems like a no brainer. I know of older patients who go to lengths to avoid going to the hospital because the experience creates such anxiety. On the other hand, I visited my primary care physician the other day and was very taken with the kindness of the staff. When a nurse asked how I was feeling and I reported some troubling symptoms, he said, feelingly, "I'm so sorry to hear that." And I believed him. It was a small thing that made a big difference.
Kindness training should be a must in every med school curriculum, and not left to the vagaries of personality traits.
I agree. I wonder how that can be taught...?
Never even considered the different needs of an older segment. Makes complete sense as I visit my 83 year old sister who was I. The ER two days ago and would have benefited mightily should such a thing exist.
Don I agree with others, this seems like a no brainer. Thanks for bringing this to readers (and hopefully policy makers’) attention.
An 89 years old friend recently shared her experience in the emergency room with me. Not a pretty picture. It seems like efforts to address geriatric care, both in the acute setting and otherwise, have been afoot for some years at the UW - Wisconsin school of medicine. We should ask anyone running for office to share their agenda with regard to health care, and geriatric care specifically.
https://youtu.be/xq-E4dX2lTo
fascinating! Thanks.
It makes all the sense on the world. My mom went to one at Holy Cross Hospital in Wheaton, MD, and things went better than they would have in a regular ER--no wait for a room, higher ratio of nursing staff. I don't know if they were specially trained for geriatric cases. (It was hard to tell from her report. It was her first time as a hospital patient since giving birth to me 7 decades ago, so she had no basis for comparison and was outraged to have to wait any time for anything. Fortunately, it was a short stay.)
What a great idea. i just got back from visiting my 95 year old dad in Florida. He had a fall while we (all the siblings ) were there he was out alone. I believe he slipped on a wet floor at the Knights of Colombus (don't get me started). He went to Urgent care the next day with what ultimately turned out to be a sprained wrist. I think his experience was OK but I love the concept of a geriatric ER for those times when urgent care wont suffice.
A lot of these improvements would help all patients - fewer monitors for adequate sleep, better surroundings, no fluorescent lighting, doctors who are paid to take the time to listen and look out for complicated diagnoses, patient focused forms, etc. I can't help but wonder if the solution isn't a "separate but equal" but an overhaul of emergency rooms altogether.