Demographic aging is leading to an increase in the number of elderly patients admitted to intensive care units, where they are at risk of geriatric syndromes. This prospective, single-center pilot study shows that targeted training significantly improves the knowledge of staff, primarily nurses and paramedical personnel. These results support the value of continuing education in geriatrics, a finding that should be confirmed by multicenter studies.
Hypothyroidism is a common condition that can have serious consequences if left untreated. Adrenal insufficiency, on the other hand, is a rare condition that can be life-threatening if left untreated. Early initiation of treatment with L-thyroxine and hydrocortisone supplementation helps restore quality of life by eliminating the risks associated with these deficiencies. Managing this type of hormonal imbalance in patients with short bowel syndrome is a rare situation, and there are few clear guidelines regarding its treatment.
The importance of advanced practice nurses (APNs) in improving emergency care for patients with Alzheimer's disease is a reality. APNs play a crucial role by providing advanced clinical skills and an approach centered on Naomi Feil's Validation®, a non-pharmacological therapy. This method involves empathetic acknowledgment and affirmation of patients' emotions and experiences, which helps build a relationship of trust and address their specific needs. By collaborating with other healthcare professionals, APNs ensure high-quality care tailored to the emergency situations faced by vulnerable patients.
The proportion of older adults in emergency departments continues to rise, posing significant organizational and medical challenges. At Ambroise-Paré Hospital (AP-HP), where 21 % of the 40,000 annual visits involve patients over the age of 75, an innovative solution has been developed: the establishment of a geriatrician position dedicated to the emergency department. This article provides an overview of geriatric emergency care in France, the specific challenges of caring for older adults in emergency settings, and the experience with the program implemented at Ambroise-Paré since November 2022-including the creation of a fast-track, the daily presence of a geriatrician in the short stay unit (SSU), and strengthened coordination with the regional geriatric care network.
The memory day hospital at Corentin-Celton Hospital has opted to conduct a half-day evaluation that systematically involves the speech-language pathologist, the pharmacist, the neuropsychologist, and the geriatrician. This care model addresses health challenges through a dedicated language assessment combined with improved referrals to community speech-language pathologists, as well as a comprehensive medication review that begins prior to the consultation and includes a review of prescriptions using analytical tools.
In Réunion, people aged 75 and older visit hospital emergency rooms more often than their demographic weight would suggest. This finding, based on recent data from the Directorate for Research, Studies, Evaluation, and Statistics (Drees) and viewed within the local context, highlights several organizational weaknesses. The analysis underscores the importance of strengthening preventive care, developing community-based solutions, and improving coordination among healthcare providers to benefit the region's elderly population.
Older adults are patients who require special care in the emergency department. This study provides insight into the challenges faced in an emergency department. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted in an emergency department in the Paris region. The results show that healthcare professionals appear to be struggling. Advanced practice nurses seem to play a complementary role in the care of older adults in the emergency department.
Residents of long-term care facilities for the elderly have complex medical needs. They are at particularly high risk of being admitted to the emergency room. However, some of these admissions could be prevented. Establishing a clear definition of what constitutes an avoidable admission for this population-and identifying the reasons behind it-allows us to focus our efforts on opportunities for improvement in the five areas listed below.
Public health emergencies (PHEs) place a heavy strain on health care systems and pose a particular risk to older adults, whose complex vulnerabilities make their care more challenging. The article emphasizes that chronological age alone is insufficient to define or guide care during PHEs: a comprehensive assessment, taking into account frailty, independence, comorbidities, and cognitive function, is necessary. While only a minority of this population is "frail," excess mortality during public health emergencies stems from biological and organizational factors, as well as ageist biases during triage and resource allocation.
