Knowing When to Seek Care: Why Seniors Shouldn’t Avoid Emergency Care When Needed

ourseniors.net-Knowing When to Seek Care: Why Seniors Shouldn’t Avoid Emergency Care When Needed

Hospitalizations and trips to urgent care facilities are often seen as a tipping point for seniors. While the highest rates for emergency room visits are for infants, seniors are just about equal to this. However, the thing is, in the case of seniors, it’s often a last resort. While this may not be the same for all, it’s the case for most. 

This has to do a lot with the stigma behind hospitals and preferring to either remain with family or simply in their own homes regardless of the type of care that’s needed. Where the issue comes in is that seniors make up at least 40% of all hospitalized adults and 16% of the U.S. population that experiences hospitalizations in general but most of these admissions are preventable. 

If older adults sought care before an issue became an emergency, senior admission rates could significantly decrease. While many fear seeking emergency care and even routine care in some cases and for a variety of reasons, it’s essential to know when you need to tolerate urgent care coordination, regardless of your personal reservations….your health, wellness, and life could be affected if not.

How to Recognize When You Should Seek Emergency Care

There are often a variety of negative misconceptions about hospitals and they are also often associated with sickness and death. While these are understandable reasons to want to avoid going to a hospital, seniors living in Florida, or anywhere have to understand the power of prevention and quick responses in comparison to treating conditions or issues that arise or become worsened due to lack of treatment compliance. 

While it may seem like this goes without saying, there are times when the ER is your only choice and oftentimes, should be your first choice. Despite the fear that many seniors feel about visiting the emergency room, there are times when it is absolutely necessary to seek care in the ER, from urgent care facilities, or home aid organizations. For example, there are often small windows of time from the onset of an issue to when treatment is needed such as for a stroke. 

Also, if you are exhibiting certain symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or bleeding with an unknown origin, these aren’t things that seniors should “fix at home”. A lot of the time, fear of potentially being admitted to a hospital, receiving an unwanted diagnosis, or facing impending fees can deter seniors from seeking help. What should be done is an immediate follow-up on the incident rather than giving in to these fears. Large numbers of situations could be avoided with proper assistance and care. 

Strategies for Seniors to Overcome Fear of ER Visits

It’s not uncommon for seniors to experience hospitalizations at least once per year and because of this, anxiety about emergency rooms and admissions often heightens. One of the best ways for seniors to overcome a fear of ER visits is to identify sources of support. Family and friends can be great sources of support, providing both practical and emotional assistance. There are also many professional organizations that can provide information and resources about senior care. Identifying your sources of assistance and support before you actually need them is one method of prevention that often goes overlooked. 

Dealing With Anxiety in the ER

For many seniors, the emergency room can be a scary place. If you’re feeling anxious about an injury, consistent pain, or a general concern that seems to be progressing and you can’t achieve primary care at the time of onset, there are a few things you can do to help ease your anxiety. First, it’s important to understand that your anxiety is normal and that you’re not alone in feeling this way. You also want to try to identify what is causing your anxiety. 

Is it the fear of the unknown? The worry that something bad will happen or that you can’t afford the bill of care? Once you know what is causing your anxiety, you can start to work on addressing those fears and identify potential solutions or coping mechanisms. During any emergency care visit, focus on deep breathing and relaxation techniques to help cope with any anxiety that arises. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or extremely anxious, don’t hesitate to ask for help from the staff or your support system. Keep in mind, the main point is for seniors to better understand the need for fast responses to problems with age. 

The Key Is in Prevention and Fast Response, Not Only Treatment

If you’re a senior living in Florida and you have a fear of being seen at the ER or any urgent care facility, know that this is completely normal. Anxiety among seniors associated with hospitalization is common but the key is not ignoring the potential need for this type of visit. If you have your own medication at home or you’re used to episodes that relate to a certain condition, be aware that seeking actual professional medical attention is often the better choice. This will help to enhance your safety as a senior and prevent problems that may just be avoidable.

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