Complexities of Geriatric Trauma Patients

LEARNING Objectives Learn about the pathophysiology of aging. Understand how pre-existing medical conditions affect the geriatric population. Relate the changes of aging to modifications in care for the elderly trauma patient. Summarize the effect of aging on the ability of the geriatric patient to compensate for shock. KEY Terms Anticoagulant: A substance or drug that prevents or delays coagulation. Antidopaminergic: A medication that blocks the release of dopamine Kyphosis: An abnormal condition of the vertebral column, characterized by increased convexity in the curvature of the thoracic spine as viewed from the side. Osteoporosis: A loss of normal bone density with thinning of bone tissue and the growth of small holes in the bone.   The geriatric trauma patient presents unique challenges to the EMS provider. There are many ways to classify older adults, but for the purpose of this article, the term geriatric will be defined as individuals who are ≥ 65 years old. People are living longer and are relatively healthier than their counterparts a generation ago, resulting in a rapid increase in both the number and percentage of people 65 and over. Estimates predict that by 2030, one in five people in the United States will have reached age 65.1 Geriatric trauma patients differ than younger patients due to associated physiological changes that occur with normal aging, multiple comorbidities and prescription drug regimens...
Source: JEMS Patient Care - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: Geriatrics Trauma Special Patients Patient Care Source Type: news