A visit to the emergency room can be a scary and upsetting event no matter what your age. But for an older person, it can also be a sentinel event that marks a downward spiral in the life and functional ability of a senior living in the community. Writing in a recent edition of Kaiser Health News, journalist Judith Graham provides an overview of the cascade of events that may follow a senior’s ER visit, including declines in mobility and functional independence at home, and even nursing home placement. It becomes a critical time for caregivers and family to be involved and take note of ominous changes. For emergency rooms, there are now Geriatric Emergency Dept. Guidelines that can provide a protocol once a senior enters the ER. And some hospitals are piloting programs to deliver emergency care in the home, rather than have seniors trek to the ER. Check out these new home-based emergency care options Here.

Source: https://khn.org/news/for-elder-health-trip…