Older people and emergency care- current issues

Emergency Departments play an increasingly prominent part in the health experience of many people as they age. One of the most obvious reasons falls, which increase in incidence from approximately 1 in 3 people aged over 65 to 1 in 2 people aged over 80 falling each year. It is not surprising that falls are the leading cause of ambulance call-outs for people in these age groups. However, it is worth noting that the rate of admissions for those aged 85 are not increasing disproportionately compared with other age bands: between 2004 – 2009 there were greater increases in Emergency Department use by the under ones and 45 – 54 year olds ([1]).
Source: International Emergency Nursing - Category: Nursing Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research