If you have ever had the unfortunate opportunity to accompany a senior with dementia to an emergency room visit, you are not alone. Under the layout and services of an emergency service, we triage or treat based on the emergent nature of the person who presents to the emergency department. If you have a gunshot wound, if you are bleeding profusely, if you have a heart attack or you have experienced some other life-threatening ailment, the emergency room can run the resources to you to save your life,
However, what if you are an individual with dementia and cannot speak for yourself. Perhaps you are in the emergency room with a full-time caregiver family member, but maybe you are there with no one to advocate for you.
How many times does the emergency room staff ignore the family or caregiver and speak to the patient about their history and complaints? When the family member or caregiver attempts to answer the questions for their charge, they are frowned upon or ignored. While those experiencing dementia are not children, they may have childish behaviors. What parent does not advocate and answer for their child in routine or urgent situations? Is it any different in the assessment and treatment of an individual with dementia who is unable to speak for his or herself?
Healthcare providers do not always recognize that there are emergency room best practices that can make a difference in the quality of the emergency department experience. Before choosing an emergency department for your loved one, do some research and ask if the hospital has systems in place that are dementia and senior-focused. If the response is negative or condescending, find another hospital that understands the challenges and that have planned for these unique needs. Do not hesitate to reach out to me if you need further information about assisting your loved one in the emergency room.