Acute Medical Conditions in the Elderly: A Guide to Effective Care and Treatment

Elderly patients may require extra care while recovering from acute medical conditions. Here’s how ageing affects one’s recovery from acute illnesses and how we can help elderlies heal faster.

Elderly patients have longer recovery periods for acute medical conditions. This is because they are more likely to suffer co-morbidities, which are additional medical conditions or disabilities that make recovery more difficult. They also have a diminished physiological reserve, which can cause physical decline and prolong recovery time for an illness.

In this guide, we discuss why elderly patients need special care for acute medical conditions. We also provide a simple overview of the different complications that elderly patients may face during recovery, as well as a range of care solutions for more effective treatment.

1. What are Acute Medical Conditions?

Acute medical conditions are those which result from illness or trauma. Unlike chronic conditions, acute medical conditions are typically short-term and treatable. While some of these medical conditions may go away on their own, others may worsen without immediate treatment and acute care.

When a patient has an acute medical condition, they are actively treated for a short period of time. Treatment is conducted until the patient is healthy and fit enough to return to daily activities.

Examples of acute medical conditions including the following:

  • Pneumonia
  • Flu
  • Appendicitis
  • Sprains and broken bones
  • Bronchitis
  • Sinusitis
  • Heart attack
Ninkatec Infographic_Types of acute medical conditions

Types of acute medical conditions

2. How Ageing Complicates Recovery

Frailty affects how an elderly patient recovers from an acute condition. It is not an illness but a syndrome – it takes into account the physical decline due to ageing, existing long-term conditions, and other lifestyle factors like nutrition and level of physical activity.

Frailty reduces the strength of elderly patients and their ability to recover from even relatively minor acute illnesses. It also makes them more prone to accident-related injuries.

These are the typical signs of frailty in the elderly:

  • Unintentional weight loss
  • Weakness
  • Feelings of fatigue
  • Low levels of physical activity
  • Slow walking

Family and healthcare providers should look for the above symptoms before deciding on appropriate treatment and intervention. While frailty is not curable, its impact can be reduced with supportive care plans.

3. Key Factors in Acute Medical Care for Elderlies

The acute medical conditions of the elderly can appear similar to those faced by younger adults. However, due to their advanced age and co-existing medical problems, they may more likely suffer from additional complications

Here are some critical considerations that healthcare providers can make when treating an elderly patient. All of these factors matter when caring for anyone with an acute condition, but they are much more critical for the proper care of an elderly patient.

Medical History

Especially for elderly patients, having their complete medical history is critical in preventing an injury or illness from worsening pre-existing conditions. It can also prevent misdiagnosis or the failure to spot underlying, untreated conditions.

Social Support

Healthcare providers have to consider a patient’s access to social support for proper recovery. Elderly patients will likely need more assistance with their medication, food, and hydration. They should also have someone close by to seek help from, especially when their condition deteriorates or when they experience pain.

Cognitive State

The cognitive status of an elderly patient may be limited. For example, dementia is a common condition that affects memory and perception – this can make it difficult to get information about how they are feeling or how their recovery is progressing.

Ninkatec Infographic_Considerations in acute care for elderlies

Considerations in acute care for elderlies

4. Potential Medical Complications During Recovery from Acute Conditions

Apart from requiring closer monitoring for their treatment progress, elderly patients are more likely to suffer these preventable injuries and illnesses while recovering:

  • Accidental slips and falls
  • Pressure sores (bedsores)
  • Adverse drug effects (incorrect administration or adverse reactions)
  • Post-operative complications
  • Hospital-acquired delirium
  • Nosocomial infections (hospital-acquired infections such as pneumonia)

These illnesses and injuries prolong the need for medical care and hinder recovery. As many of them are preventable, elderly patients must be more closely supervised to keep them from developing these complications.

5. Elderly Care Needs for Acute Medical Conditions

As an elderly patient recovers from acute medical conditions, they will require different types of assistance. While some needs may be apparent and swiftly addressed, others may require closer examination and additional treatment. Always consult a physician about your loved one’s care needs during the recuperative phase. 

Physical Needs

While recovering from an acute condition, elderly patients may need assistance in performing daily tasks. These include regular eating, proper hydration, and the administration of treatments and medications.

Families should consider hiring a caregiver who can attend to an older patient’s needs, especially if they already had limited mobility or difficulty in performing routine tasks prior to the condition. This extra help can ensure greater chances of a swift recovery.

Psychological Support

Elderly patients may have negative thoughts or mentally struggle while recovering from an acute medical condition. Some psychological behaviours may also be indicators of chronic medical conditions that have gone unnoticed, such as panic in patients with heart diseases or depressed moods in those with anaemia.

If a loved one is exhibiting signs of emotional or mental distress, families should consult their doctor and a psychologist for a cohesive treatment plan. This will allow effective care for psychological symptoms, as well as any physical illnesses that may be connected to them.

6. Ninkatec’s Services for Acute Medical Care

Ninkatec is one of Singapore’s leading health care providers, offering cost-efficient care solutions for elderly clients. We have different care plans depending on the medical conditions and needs of our customers. 

We offer the following medical solutions for the elderly:

  • Virtual Care - A 24/7 monitoring solution that allows round-the-clock medical support and regular virtual supervision of clients.
  • Right at Home - A home-care option which offers living assistance, monthly physician visits, and physiotherapy in a familiar environment.
  • Close Connect - Acute care solutions for critical injuries, post-surgery recovery, and post-discharge transitional care.

Elderly patients with acute medical conditions may best benefit from the Close Connect Plan, which provides daily clinical reviews and nurse visits at home. We can also help with transitional care for your loved ones when they are transitioning from hospital treatments to home care and monitoring. Find out more about Ninkatec acute medical consultation service or contact Ninkatec care team here.

7. Recover at Home with Ninkatec

Recovering from an acute condition will require regular supervision and constant medical support. With proper assistance, elderly patients may recuperate more rapidly and avoid developing complications during treatment. Our staff at Ninkatec provide top-quality professional care for our clients, supervising their treatment throughout their recovery journey with us.

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Ninkatec also operates in-clinic GP services under Charazoi Medical Clinic, and caregiver services under Comfort Keepers Singapore. Visit our sister websites to find out more.

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