OAPs will be given health MOTs when they go to A&E under NHS plans to keep them out of hospital.
Doctors will take a quick look at those over 65, as well as treating your immediate problem.
An analysis of blood pressure, heart, lungs and mobility, as well as a questionnaire about diet and history of falls, could reveal other long-term problems.
Health chiefs reckon the campaign will prevent thousands of people from spending the night in hospital.
A fifth of people over 75 are classified as frail and tend to need more medical help and longer hospital stays.
People are struggling to see their family doctor quickly, so the emergency room is an important face-to-face contact
Caroline Abraham
High-risk visitors will be encouraged to do simple exercises to prevent falls and receive treatment for conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
NHS England boss Amanda Pritchard will tell a health conference in Manchester today: “Health MOTs at the A&E front door can be a lifeline for many older people.
“Although some people need to be admitted to hospital, this is not always the best place for older patients and they can quickly lose mobility while in bed.
“It is vital that we continue to adapt our services and these checks mean patients can be quickly assessed and directed to the right support for their needs.”
More frequent emergency room visits with age
Millions of elderly people end up victims of accidents every year and represent an increasing proportion of emergency consultations and long waits.
The risk of an emergency room visit increases with age, with more than four in 10 people in their 90s going to the emergency room at least once a year.
NHS England has told hospitals to check elderly patients at the door seven days a week to address long-term problems as well as emergencies.
Conditions can often be treated elsewhere or prevented with better overall health care.
Caroline Abrahams, director of Age UK, said: “It makes a lot of sense to offer older people a wider range of health checks if they go to A&E with a specific problem, so we welcome this new plan.
“We know that many people find it difficult to see their GP as quickly as they would like, so a visit to A&E is an important face-to-face contact.
“Health screening can make a huge difference for some older people, helping to detect illness and disease at an early stage, when the chances of successful treatment are highest.”
Tips for aging well
There are several habits you can adopt to take care of your health and well-being as you age.
Age UK shared the following tips:
- Do things you enjoy every day – whether it’s cooking, seeing friends or reading a good book
- Stay hydrated – drink six to eight glasses of water a day
- Eat lots of fruits and vegetables to lower your risk of heart disease and certain cancers, eat beans, legumes, fish, eggs and meat to repair your body after injuries, starchy carbohydrates for energy dairy products to help keep bones strong
- Manage long-term health conditions to prevent them from progressing or having a greater impact on your health
- Quit smoking and reduce alcohol intake to no more than 14 units per week
- Make mental health a priority and get treatment for it, as it can also affect physical health
- Make sure you are getting quality sleep
- Keep socializing – and call a friend or loved one if you can’t leave the house
- Be physically active to lower your risk of depression and dementia, heart disease, stroke, Parkinson’s and some cancers
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
