Developed by the SAEM Geriatric Emergency Medicine Task Force

 

This teaching module introduces the learner to the special emergency care needs of the elderly. Demographics of the emergency care use by this population are reviewed in the context of the growing elderly population in the U.S. The concept of healthy aging and the importance of a positive attitude toward elderly persons are explored. Misperceptions and sterotypes can lead to poor medical care. Eleven defined principles of geriatric emergency medicine are explained in the context of a more comprehensive biopsychosocial model of emergency care. Issues such as emergency care environment, discharge planning and the nursing home transfer process are reviewed. Finally, the use of specific instruments are taught for assessing the elderly patient for delirium, dementia, functional status, depression and alcoholism.

 

The six cases presented in the Instructor's Manual are in PDF format.  Table of Contents

Copyright @ 1996 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

 

1996 SAEM Geriatric Emergency Medicine Task Force           Edward Bernstein, MD Rawden Evans, PhD, MD David M. Habben, A.S., Paramedic Gordon A. Ireland, PharmD Jeffrey S. Jones, MD Norm Kalbfleisch, MD Pamela Kidd, RN, PhD, CEN Mark Lachs, MD, MPH Joseph LaMantia, MD Robert McNamara, MD John E. Morley, MB, BCh David B. Reuben, MD Kathleen M. Richmond, RN, BS Arthur B. Sanders, MD Donald Witzke, PhD Robert H. Woolard, MD