cal nurses,

udents —

rvices. For

nes, check

mpera

atments,

r them

dinates

t on the

he hos

ated).

 patients

se flexibil

ordination.

cise, heat,

y to help

 move

apists

o restore,

e their

s such as

 dressing.

event

s. For

Dietitians help plan specialized

menus for patients and teach howto plan a well-balanced diet.

Pharmacists know the chemical

makeup and correct use of drugs.They prepare the medicines usedin the hospital.

Social workers offer support to

patients and their families. Theycan help patients and families learnabout home-care, social services,and support groups.

Discharge planners help patients

arrange for health and home careneeds after they go home fromthe hospital.

Geriatric AssessmentSome older people have many healthproblems that threaten their ability tolive on their own after they leave thehospital. In some hospitals, a team thatincludes a doctor, nurse, and socialworker addresses the special needsof older patients. This team also may

nity services, and ability to performdaily tasks. The team diagnoses healthproblems and develops a plan to helpolder patients get the health careand social services they need.

Hospital GeographyHospitals have many patient-careareas. For example, patients may bein a private (one-bed) or semiprivate(two-bed) room. The intensive careunit (also called the ICU) has specialequipment and staff to care for very illpatients. Coronary care units (CCUs)give intensive medical care to patientswith severe heart disease. In both theICU and CCU, visiting hours are strictlylimited and usually only family members are allowed to see patients. Surgeryis done in the operating room (OR).After an operation, patients spendtime in the recovery room beforegoing back to their own room.

In the emergency room (ER),

trained staff treat life-threatening

67
cal nurses,

udents —

rvices. For

nes, check

mpera

atments,

r them

dinates

t on the

he hos

ated).

 patients

se flexibil

ordination.

cise, heat,

y to help

 move

apists

o restore,

e their

s such as

 dressing.

event

s. For

Dietitians help plan specialized

menus for patients and teach howto plan a well-balanced diet.

Pharmacists know the chemical

makeup and correct use of drugs.They prepare the medicines usedin the hospital.

Social workers offer support to

patients and their families. Theycan help patients and families learnabout home-care, social services,and support groups.

Discharge planners help patients

arrange for health and home careneeds after they go home fromthe hospital.

Geriatric AssessmentSome older people have many healthproblems that threaten their ability tolive on their own after they leave thehospital. In some hospitals, a team thatincludes a doctor, nurse, and socialworker addresses the special needsof older patients. This team also may

nity services, and ability to performdaily tasks. The team diagnoses healthproblems and develops a plan to helpolder patients get the health careand social services they need.

Hospital GeographyHospitals have many patient-careareas. For example, patients may bein a private (one-bed) or semiprivate(two-bed) room. The intensive careunit (also called the ICU) has specialequipment and staff to care for very illpatients. Coronary care units (CCUs)give intensive medical care to patientswith severe heart disease. In both theICU and CCU, visiting hours are strictlylimited and usually only family members are allowed to see patients. Surgeryis done in the operating room (OR).After an operation, patients spendtime in the recovery room beforegoing back to their own room.

In the emergency room (ER),

trained staff treat life-threatening

67
ses, nurse

cal nurses,

udents —

rvices. For

nes, check

mpera

atments,

r them

dinates

t on the

he hos

ated).

 patients

se flexibil

ordination.

cise, heat,

y to help

 move

apists

o restore,

e their

s such as

 dressing.

event

s. For

procedures such as taking blood.

Dietitians help plan specialized

menus for patients and teach howto plan a well-balanced diet.

Pharmacists know the chemical

makeup and correct use of drugs.They prepare the medicines usedin the hospital.

Social workers offer support to

patients and their families. Theycan help patients and families learnabout home-care, social services,and support groups.

Discharge planners help patients

arrange for health and home careneeds after they go home fromthe hospital.

Geriatric AssessmentSome older people have many healthproblems that threaten their ability tolive on their own after they leave thehospital. In some hospitals, a team thatincludes a doctor, nurse, and socialworker addresses the special needsof older patients. This team also may

living arrangements, access to community services, and ability to performdaily tasks. The team diagnoses healthproblems and develops a plan to helpolder patients get the health careand social services they need.

Hospital GeographyHospitals have many patient-careareas. For example, patients may bein a private (one-bed) or semiprivate(two-bed) room. The intensive careunit (also called the ICU) has specialequipment and staff to care for very illpatients. Coronary care units (CCUs)give intensive medical care to patientswith severe heart disease. In both theICU and CCU, visiting hours are strictlylimited and usually only family members are allowed to see patients. Surgeryis done in the operating room (OR).After an operation, patients spendtime in the recovery room beforegoing back to their own room.

In the emergency room (ER),

trained staff treat life-threatening

67
y 

p

 move

apists

o restore,

e their

s such as

 dressing.

event

s. For

p

Geriatric AssessmentSome older people have many healthproblems that threaten their ability tolive on their own after they leave thehospital. In some hospitals, a team thatincludes a doctor, nurse, and socialworker addresses the special needsof older patients. This team also may

ICU and CCU, visiting hours are strictlylimited and usually only family members are allowed to see patients. Surgeryis done in the operating room (OR).After an operation, patients spendtime in the recovery room beforegoing back to their own room.

In the emergency room (ER),

trained staff treat life-threatening

67
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Public Health ServiceNational Institutes of HealthFebruary 2000

ry

e severe

n severe

ning

p right

 reach

11 or

ure

of

n.

a

you

re

13 14

including prescription andover-the-counter drugs

✦ the names and telephone numbers of close family members

It’s a good idea to write this information on a note card and carry it

in your wallet or purse. If you havea medical problem such as epilepsy,diabetes, or allergies, you shouldwear an ID bracelet or carry anID card to let rescue workers andhospital staff know about thesehidden conditions.

If possible, ask a relative or

friend to go to the hospital withyou for support.

g

, 

Telephone: 312-422-3000.

For more information about

health and aging, contact:National Institute on Aging (NIA)Information CenterTelephone: 1-800-222-2225 orTTY: 1-800-222-4225The website address ishttp://www.nih.gov/nia.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Public Health ServiceNational Institutes of HealthFebruary 2000

ry

e severe

n severe

ning

p right

 reach

11 or

ure

of

n.

a

you

re

13 14

including prescription andover-the-counter drugs

✦ the names and telephone numbers of close family members

It’s a good idea to write this information on a note card and carry it

in your wallet or purse. If you havea medical problem such as epilepsy,diabetes, or allergies, you shouldwear an ID bracelet or carry anID card to let rescue workers andhospital staff know about thesehidden conditions.

If possible, ask a relative or

friend to go to the hospital withyou for support.

Chicago, IL 60606Telephone: 312-422-3000.

For more information about

health and aging, contact:National Institute on Aging (NIA)Information CenterTelephone: 1-800-222-2225 orTTY: 1-800-222-4225The website address ishttp://www.nih.gov/nia.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Public Health ServiceNational Institutes of HealthFebruary 2000

ry

e severe

n severe

ning

p right

 reach

11 or

ure

of

n.

a

you

re

13 14

✦ a list of the medicines you take,

including prescription andover-the-counter drugs

✦ the names and telephone numbers of close family members

It’s a good idea to write this information on a note card and carry it

in your wallet or purse. If you havea medical problem such as epilepsy,diabetes, or allergies, you shouldwear an ID bracelet or carry anID card to let rescue workers andhospital staff know about thesehidden conditions.

If possible, ask a relative or

friend to go to the hospital withyou for support.

One North FranklinChicago, IL 60606Telephone: 312-422-3000.

For more information about

health and aging, contact:National Institute on Aging (NIA)Information CenterTelephone: 1-800-222-2225 orTTY: 1-800-222-4225The website address ishttp://www.nih.gov/nia.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Public Health ServiceNational Institutes of HealthFebruary 2000

13 14

you for support.