UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: Geriatric Patients and the Graying of the Global ED Population

Keywords: Geriatric, Global, Emergency Care (PubMed Search)

Posted: 7/3/2014 by Jon Mark Hirshon, PhD, MPH, MD (Updated: 11/22/2024)
Click here to contact Jon Mark Hirshon, PhD, MPH, MD

Background:

With current medical advances and the adoption of healthier lifestyles, people are living longer.
65+ years old is the fastest growing segment of the global population
In 1994:
- 65+ accounted for 13% of the population
By 2030:
- Developed Countries: 65+ age segment of population will be larger than <65 age in many developed countries
- Developing Countries: 75% of elderly will be living in lower and middle income countries with less well-developed health care systems

Relevance to the EM Physician:

Bottom Line:

Emergency physicians and healthcare professionals practicing in acute care settings around the world will increasingly be relied upon to care for geriatric acute care patients.
Focus should be placed on education of healthcare practitioners, protocols for targeting high-risk geriatric populations, and the creation of emergency departments with resources to care for the elderly

University of Maryland Section of Global Emergency Health Author: Terrence Mulligan DO, MPH

Samaras N, Chevalley T, Samaras D, et al. “Older Patients in the Emergency Department: A Review” Annals of EM Vol 56:3, Sept 2010, p 261-269.

United Nations. “World Population Ageing 1950-2050” 2011. www.esa.un.org/wpp/