Even among a relatively young and healthy population, ER visits are often scary and stressful. You can do many things to reduce your chances of having a trip to the ER, and seniors should be acutely aware of what actions to take or avoid to better their odds of staying healthy. Today, we hope to provide some additional info on the risks associated with ER visits and how you can reduce your ER visits as you age.
The Prevalence and Impact of ER Visits Among Seniors
As older Americans are generally less healthy and more prone to illness and injury due to natural aging, emergency room visits are notably higher among the senior population. When teenagers slip and fall, they can hopefully shrug off the incident. For seniors, this might result in a trip to the ER. Other common issues like respiratory infections and flare-ups of chronic conditions might put a senior into the ER at a moment’s notice.
While obviously most people want to avoid the ER and stay healthy, there are other reasons why staying out of the ER is a good idea – when possible – for seniors.
Risks Associated with Frequent ER Visits
Hospital-Acquired Infections: Each ER visit increases the risk of seniors contracting infections, a serious concern given their often weakened immune systems.
Psychological Impact: The stress and anxiety associated with ER visits can take a heavy toll on seniors’ mental health.
Increased Healthcare Costs: Frequent ER visits can lead to soaring medical bills that place financial strain on families.
Potential for Medical Errors or Misdiagnosis: With each ER visit, there’s a risk of errors in treatment or misdiagnosis, especially under the high-pressure environment of emergency rooms.
Strategies For Reducing ER Visits for Seniors
A sudden accident can always create the need for an ER visit, but slow, gradual issues can also rise to a serious level if left untreated. As such, regular medical appointments and check-ups are vitally important for seniors in order to manage ongoing chronic issues and aid in the early detection of potential problems. At a check-up, medical professionals can also determine whether or not medication regimens are being followed properly.
Beyond the medical system, seniors can make changes in their lives to help reduce the risk of going to the emergency room.
Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Risks
Regular Light Exercise: Engaging in light, regular exercise helps maintain mobility and balance. Seniors are susceptible to injuries from falls, but even minimal exercise can strengthen the bones and muscles that limit these falls.
Balanced Diet: A well-balanced diet full of vitamins, essential minerals, and healthy choices is vital in preventing malnutrition and dehydration.
Social Engagement: Staying socially active helps monitor and support mental health, reducing the risk of health issues related to isolation and depression.
The Role of Assisted Living Facilities in Preventing Trips to the ER
As mentioned, nearly all of the work you can do to limit sudden trips to the ER happens long before any accident occurs. Assisted living and memory care facilities are the perfect partners for seniors who want to proactively improve their physical, emotional, and mental health in order to stay out of the emergency room.
Facilities offer residents constant supervision while still allowing them the freedom and independence they need to thrive. Staff members are trained to spot early indications of health problems common in the senior population and respond appropriately, either through lifestyle changes or medical intervention.
While limiting your reliance on the ER is a noble goal, it’s important to remember that ER visits are sometimes monumentally important. Heart attacks, strokes, or other severe complications require immediate medical attention, and erring on the side of caution is recommended. Assisted living staff work tirelessly to help residents receive the highest levels of care possible.
A Banyan Residence is a memory care and assisted living facility in The Villages, Florida.
