By Brian Newsome
Going to an emergency room is never fun, but it can be an especially stressful experience for senior citizens. Elderly patients may move slower than the fast-paced world around them, or have special needs that a typical hospital doesn’t provide.
But that’s not the case at three Denver-region hospitals, which have redesigned services with seniors in mind. Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge, Good Samaritan Medical Center in Lafayette and Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver, all offer Senior Emergency Rooms.
In each case, the ER offers features targeted at older adults’ needs and wants. Non-skid flooring prevents falls, and special 6-inch-thick mattresses prevent pressure ulcers from forming on bony areas. Nurses and doctors are specially trained in geriatric care, and there is adaptive equipment for fall safety.
To improve the patient experience, senior ER rooms are private, not separated by curtains, and they have softer lighting. Audio and visual aids are available, such as TV speakers near the head, to accommodate hearing and seeing impairments.
The changes have been well-received, according to hospital officials. At Lutheran Medical Center, home to the fastest-growing senior population in the state, the success of the ER has prompted the hospital to also create a Senior Surgery Center and Senior Behavioral Health unit.
The three hospitals, which are part of SCL Health, recognize that no one wants to be in an ER. But when the need arises, they expect the patient experience to match the quality of care they provide.