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ERs Redesigned for Seniors: Calm, Not Chaos
19 Aug
Summary
- Geriatric ERs reduce hospital admissions and deaths for older adults.
- These redesigned ERs aim to prevent delirium and falls in seniors.
- Accreditation has grown, but thousands of ERs still lack senior-friendly practices.
Emergency departments nationwide are transforming to better serve older adults through a geriatric emergency department (GED) accreditation. Since 2017, over 600 GEDs have been accredited, with a growing number of these facilities integrating senior-friendly practices into care for all ages.
These redesigned ERs aim to mitigate risks common among older patients, such as delirium and falls, by offering a more calming and attentive environment. Features include rooms designed to reduce sensory overload and specialized staff attention to multiple chronic conditions.
Studies indicate that geriatric emergency departments can significantly lower hospital admission rates by 39% and reduce 30-day mortality by 38% for patients aged 65 and older.
Despite this progress, thousands of emergency departments across the United States have yet to adopt these vital geriatric-focused protocols, representing a significant missed opportunity to improve care for the growing elderly population.
