Monday, 08 July 2019

Choosing the Proper Care in an Emergency - ER or Urgent Care?

One of the most critical aspects of providing elderly care at home is knowing exactly what to do in an emergency situation. Generally, when something negative happens to your loved one regarding their health, you will have two choices: take them to the emergency room or go to an urgent care centre. Despite these two terms often being used interchangeably, there are big differences between them that you need to be aware of. We explain more below.

The Emergency Room

The emergency room should always be your go-to if you are worried that your loved one is experiencing a health issue that is putting their life at risk. In other words, the more severe the problem, the better it is to go straight to the ER. Even if you are unsure about how worrisome the problem is, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

The emergency room would be the best place to go if:

• Your loved one took a bad tumble
• He or she is showing signs of a stroke
• He or she is experiencing chest pains
• He or she is struggling to breathe
• He or she has lost consciousness

Emergency rooms are open 24/7/365 and are equipped with the latest technology and most experienced professionals. This means that they are able to provide optimal care in cases of emergency.

Urgent Care Centre

You may opt to visit an urgent care centre if your loved one is experiencing a health concern and their doctor is not available on short notice, or isn’t open at the time. Urgent care centres treat minor to moderate health issues that are not life-threatening. Keep in mind, however, that while most urgent care centres operate after-hours, many are not open 24/7.

An urgent care centre would be the best place to go if:

• Your loved one is experiencing discomfort or pain of any kind
• He or she has a small cut or burn
• He or she may have an infection 
• He or she is suffering from cold and flu symptoms, or symptoms of a stomach bug
• He or she needs X-rays after a minor fall

Remember, while a little fall may not be of great worry to someone who is still in their 20s, it can be a massive concern for an elderly person. Because of this, it is always worthwhile to visit a health care provider, even if the health issue seems to be minor. If not properly treated, minor health issues can evolve into much bigger problems further down the line. It’s better to err on the side of caution when age isn’t in your favour!

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