University Hospitals
Transforming emergency care for seniors and their families.
If you’ve ever been to the Emergency Room with an elderly parent, relative or friend, you know how difficult it can be. How stressful. Even confusing.
It’s clear University Hospitals gets that. UH has created the region’s first Senior ER facilities at both University Hospitals Bedford Medical Center and University Hospitals Richmond Medical Center—an innovative option for seniors and families who want more compassionate, specialized care focused on their unique medical, emotional and functional needs.
"As older patients live longer, and often with several chronic medical conditions, it’s imperative that emergency departments address all aspects of patients’ medical and social needs in the ER… not just the emergency that brought them in.” according to Dr. Howard Dickey White.
Everything about the Senior ER reflects this new direction in geriatric care. The environment is warmer, safer and less stressful; with soft lighting, calming décor, special pressure-reducing mattresses, easy-read clocks and signage, skid resistant floors and other senior-centric features throughout.
Even more important, though, is a multi-disciplinary team of doctors, nurses and specialists certified in senior care, trained to go beyond compassionate emergency treatment to treat the whole person and the whole health care picture.
The Senior ER approach begins with listening—truly valuing the history patients and families can share, in order to develop an insightful plan of care that addresses everything from mobility, cognition and safety to medications and diet. It includes connections to community resources for senior care, and provides real comfort for caregivers, helping them understand and prepare for whatever is to come.
Given the growth of the elderly population, changes in how we care for seniors will affect every level of our health care system. By addressing it in the ER, University Hospitals can dramatically improve the transition back to home or other health care settings and keep patients moving forward in their recovery.
And that’s good news for everybody.
For more information, please contact:
University Hospitals Bedford Medical Center
A Campus of UH Regional
Hospitals
44 Blaine Ave., Bedford OH 44146
Phone: 440-735-3900
Website: www.UHBedford.org
University Hospitals Richmond Medical Center
A Campus of UH RegionalHospitals
27100 Chardon Rd., Richmond Hts. 44143
Phone: 440-585-6500
Website: www.UHRichmond.org
Email: University Hospitals