RESPONDING TO THE ELDERLY: A SERIOUS CHALLENGE

This article discusses four things for an emergency medical technician to remember when responding to elderly patients. 1. Elderly people are more prone to serious respiratory and cardiovascular problems than younger people. 2. An old person's body has less ability to compensate for serious illness, so their condition can deteriorate vary quickly. 3. It is often difficult to diagnose an elderly person's condition. 4. Elderly people often deny the seriousness of their condition, even when it is obvious to others. In addition, the article describes dealing with patients with Alzheimer's disease, and other cases of delirium or dementia.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/15251667
• Corporate Authors:

  National Safety Council

  1121 Spring Lake Drive
  Itasca, IL  United States  60143
• Authors:
  • Cohen, P H
• Publication Date: 2000

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 34-36
• Serial:
  • Every Second Counts
  • Volume: 1
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: National Safety Council
  • ISSN: 1525-1667

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aged; Alzheimer's disease; Attitudes; Cardiovascular diseases; Diagnosis; Diseases and medical conditions; Emergency medical services; Emergency medical technicians; Emotions; Mental condition; Respiratory system
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I84: Personal Injuries;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00792183
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 16 2000 12:00AM