Managing Geriatric Patients: From Brittle Bones to End-of-Life Issues
Most EMT and Paramedic programs spend significantly more time discussing pediatrics than geriatrics – even though the percentage of the US population over the age of sixty five is growing at a faster rate than ever before. Advancements in medicine and pharmaceuticals have pushed the average life expectancy to almost 80. An overview of specific pearls and pitfalls of assessing and treating geriatric patients will be covered, including important physical, social and cognitive facets every EMS provider should be familiar with. More common assistive living equipment utilized in home care will be reviewed, as well as relevant topics such as the ins (and outs) of hospice, the uniqueness of geriatric trauma, recognizing elder abuse and being sensitive to end-of-life concerns. This presentation will touch on a wide variety of medical care issues specific to the geriatric population and will hopefully instill a new respectful perspective on the challenges facing these patients.