Geriatric Medicine in the ED
with Janny Lee and Dr. Alice Gray
This talk focusses on patients with nonspecific symptoms and the challenges in dispositioning them properly. The two speakers stress patient-centered care and treating older adults with empathy, addressing challenges related to falls and frailty. They recommend using screening tools for assessing frailty and recognizing its significance in health outcomes and healthcare spending. Delirium and behavioral issues in dementia are also discussed as crucial concerns. A multidisciplinary approach to elderly patient care is highlighted, emphasizing collaboration with geriatric nurses and social workers. The speakers recommend various resources and tools to enhance the care of older adults in the emergency department. The importance of a Homeless Outreach Team is discussed, and a case study illustrates the challenges faced by homeless older adults.
In the Q&A session, topics like PTSD associated with dementia, emergency elder care guidelines, and medication adjustments in the ED are addressed. The presentation concludes with a call for continuous efforts to improve elder care.
About Janny Lee
Janny Lee is our very own Clinical Nurse Specialist in Geriatrics, adjunct lecturer at University of Toronto, and MBA candidate. She has experience in critical care nursing, and is passionate about improving the care of older adults.
About Dr. Alice Gray
Alice Gray is an emergency physician at UHN with subspecialty expertise in simulation and geriatrics. Alice is a clinician-teacher at the University of Toronto, who leads the EM resident geriatric curriculum locally, and developed/leads the CAEP clinical geriEM course.