The elder person may often not want to leave their home out of fear, isolation, neglect, and shame. They may also feel that they are coping for fear of being a failure. The ambulance service is often one of the first service providers that the patient will have an encounter with, and we can, as a service make referrals to social services, GP’s, and safeguarding services with the consent of the patient.
The overriding consideration is that if it is safe, in the patient’s bests interests and the patient has access to support, that the patient remains at home to help promote their independence and mental wellbeing.
When assessing the elderly, the following must be considered:
Medical history, can this be confirmed with carers, relatives or GP if needed?
Does the patient need visual or hearing aids to help with the assessment?
Does the patient know why they are being assessed?
Does the patient have capacity?
What are the normal physiological baseline observations for the patient?
Does the patient know what medications and are they compliant with them? Can this be confirmed?
Is the patient in pain?
Can the patient describe how they feel emotionally or physically?
Does the patient have carer support?
If the patient has fallen, can they remember this?
Is the patient mobile? Do they have sufficient mobility aids?
Do they wander?
Do they recognise their own surroundings?
Are they eating and drinking well?
Can they access help if needed?
Do they have a pendant alarm they can press in case of emergency?
Is the patient safe to be left at home?
