Recognizing that different people need different kinds of emergency care, Crittenton Hospital Medical Center in Rochester, part of Ascension Michigan, has created an Emergency Department that focuses on the specific needs of seniors.
"Our goal is to enhance the care we provide to the growing senior population in our community," said Glenn Garwood, Director of Emergency Services at Crittenton. "We can better meet the needs of our older patients by offering this dedicated, senior-focused care environment."
Crittenton's new unit offers eight private rooms staffed by a specially trained nursing team. The unit features softer lighting, soothing color schemes and larger-print items, as well as safety measures such as non-slip flooring, bed alarms and hearing assistive devices.
Crittenton recognized that emergency rooms undergoing a remodel could benefit from increased services for seniors. According to data from the National Center for Health Statistics, a total of 19.6 million Emergency Department visits in the United States were by people 65 and older. Glenn said Crittenton hopes to deliver care to the senior population that is specialized and helps to support elderly patients as well as family members at the same time. To create the specialized area, Crittenton followed the Geriatric Emergency Department Guidelines published by American College of Emergency Physicians.
Glenn said there is only one other hospital in the area with an Emergency Department that offers senior-specific services. That department is not staffed for seniors at all times. Six of the eight geriatric rooms at Crittenton are staffed 24/7 by the special geriatric-trained team.
