Seniors, here’s how to avoid the emergency room – and how to make your visit easier if you can’t

As you get older, you collect memories, good friends, wrinkles, and often, chronic health conditions. You may also have reduced mobility and flexibility. It can all add up to more visits to the emergency room.

However, some trips to the emergency center can be avoided with these healthy habits and precautions:

• See your doctor regularly for checkups and screenings. Regular doctor visits can catch early warning signs of problems before they become emergencies. Also ask your doctor about these screenings:
• Cardiovascular tests. Medicare Part B covers screenings for cardiovascular disease, and heart problems are one of the top reasons for senior emergency visits.
• Bone mass measurement. A loss of bone density (osteoporosis) can put seniors at greater risk for broken bones, another common reason for emergency trips.
• Hearing and vision tests. If you drive, you should get your hearing and vision tested regularly. If for any reason your doctor advises you to stop driving, heed their advice – injuries from auto accidents are another common cause for senior emergencies.
• Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water can help prevent dehydration, a common cause for senior emergency visits. Also, staying well-hydrated can help prevent urinary tract infections, another condition often seen in the ER.
• Exercise. Regular exercise can strengthen your muscles and bones and improve flexibility and balance. This can help prevent falls and broken bones. Research has found that exercise even improves your memory. And you don’t have to run a marathon – a daily walk, working in the garden or gentle water aerobics can all improve your health.
• Take advantage of vaccinations. If you’ve ever had the chicken pox, get the shingles vaccine. And get the pneumococcal shot to ward off pneumonia, which can lead to serious respiratory complications for seniors.
• Accident-proof your home. Falls in the home send thousands of seniors to emergency centers every year. Make sure all the stairs in your home have adequate handrails and are well-lit, eliminate tripping hazards like loose rugs, and put a non-slip mat in your bathtub and/or shower stall. Also, if you have a cane or a walker, use it – it can’t help you if it’s sitting in a closet.
• Know the symptoms of a stroke. Getting medical help quickly is key to surviving a stroke. Learn the warning signs.

Have a plan for the emergency room – just in case.

In a perfect world, you’d take all these precautions and never have an emergency. But since we don’t live in a perfect world, here are a few ways you can make a visit to the emergency center less traumatic:

• Invest in a medical alert device. These devices, often worn on a cord around the neck, allow you to push a button and get emergency help on its way. Some even have built-in GPS to help emergency personnel locate you if you’re not at home. A medical I.D. bracelet or necklace that lists important medications, conditions and allergies is a good investment, too.
• Organize your information. Create a sheet with all your medical information: known medical conditions, emergency contact numbers, blood type, allergies, medications and dosage, etc. Post it on your fridge and send a copy to loved ones who live nearby. Put your list on your smartphone, too, if you have one.
• Pack a bag. If you have duplicates of items you’ll need to be more comfortable (for instance, an extra pair of glasses and/or an extra hearing aid), pack them in a bag with a few trial-size toiletries. Toss in a favorite book or a family photo if you like. Being able to see and hear well can reduce disorientation, and familiar items can be comforting in a stressful time.

Going to an emergency center designed especially for seniors, like the Covenant Senior Emergency Care Center, can also make your experience easier.

No one wants to think about going to the emergency room. But if you plan ahead, it can make all the difference.

Posted Date: 6/15/2018