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Updated: Jul 14, 2025

Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
Nonspecific Complaints in Older Emergency Department Patients
Colleen M McQuown1, Emily K Tsivitse1
1Louis Stokes Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 10701 East Boulevard. Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
Abstract:
Nonspecific complaints such as generalized weakness and fatigue are common in older adults presenting to an emergency department. These complaints may be caused by acute or chronic medical problems, or they may be exacerbated or caused by socioeconomic risks factors. Acute causes may be related to serious medical conditions requiring prompt treatment. A thorough history and physical examination in conjunction with an interdisciplinary approach allows emergency departments to identify acute conditions as well as geriatric syndromes and unmet home needs, such as food insecurity and caregiver burden. A whole-health system approach should be used for safe transitions of care.
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