Moving towards the Age-friendly hospital. A paradigm shift for the hospital-based care of the elderly.

摘要: Introduction Care of the older adult in acute care hospital is becoming more challenging. Patients 65 years and account for 35% discharges 45% days. Up to one-third hospitalized frail elderly loses independent functioning one or activities daily living as a result ‘hostile environment’ that present hospitals. A critical deficit health workers with expertise experience also jeopardizes successful delivery setting. Methods We propose paradigm shift culture practice event-driven hospital-based which we call Age-friendly Hospital concept. Guiding principles include: favourable physical environment; zero tolerance ageism throughout organization; an integrated process develop comprehensive services using geriatric approach; assistance appropriateness decision-making fostering links between community. Our current proposed strategy focus on delirium management hospital-wide condition both requires highlights Geriatric Medicine specialist expert content, program development evaluation. conclusion The concept may lead way enable hospitals fast-moving system deliver high-quality without jeopardizing risk-benefit, function, quality life balances elderly. Recruitment retention skilled professionals would benefit from this positive ‘branding’ institution. Convincing managing change are significant challenges, especially competing priorities fiscal environment limited funding. implementation example intervention embodies many It important delivered adults time meet our needs when need ourselves.