Senior Specificity

   Samaritan Hospital's New State-of-the-Art Emergency Department is scheduled to open Thursday, December 7, with a Sneak Preview on Monday, December 4.  The E.D. will be the first unit to open in the hospital's new five-story Heinrich Medicus Pavilion.
   Why such an imposing structure would be built vertically instead of on only one or two levels defies comprehension. Perhaps there is a dearth of real estate within the territory bounds specified by the late Dr. Medicus.  A few years ago, Dr. Medicus was present at the dedication of the Parking Garage, and he appeared pleased.  But drivers who have entered that garage know that it too lacks  access space, and multiple parking levels never appeal to patients or visitors. The publicity says there  is or will be free shuttle service on all floors of the garage, if you call a provided number.  That may help some.
    I don't know yet what will be on the other four floors of the Pavilion, but I understand the trend in the construction of educational or medical facilities is to avoid multiple levels.  Such facilities are required to have evacuation drills, in the event of natural or terroristic disasters. Clearing a ground floor is difficult at best, and levels above that pose even more of a challenge.  Elevators would be rendered unusable and descending multiple flights of stairs difficult for many. caretakers and patients alike.  {I just had the thought that this critique of stairways may be completely unfounded---maybe the upper levels have the ascending walkways, not the old-fashioned staircases.  I ought to attend Thursday's Sneak Preview before casting such aspersions. Stupid me.{
    Back to the new Emergency Department:   It's 4 times the size of the present ED, with 44 patient treatment spaces and 29 private rooms.  And---Wait for it---Six patient rooms designed specifically for "the unique needs of older adults."   Because the new Emergency Department is designed to be senior-friendly.  These senior rooms are geared toward addressing the senior's "special medical needs, preferences and physical comforts," for which the physicians and staff have received extensive education and training.
      Now this sounds all well and good, except what does it really mean? I know there is a new Pediatric Emergency Facility opened in Albany, and that makes sense: for example, all four-year-olds are pretty much the same size, so size-appropriate equipment would be helpful.  But what is there about Senior Citizens that would fit them all in one category.  And what are the "unique" needs of older adults? If  a need were truly unique, therefore by definition one of a kind, how would it be possible to classify that need by age?   One would hope that any patient's "special medical needs" would be addressed, regardless of how old they are. The same for "physical comforts."  For those who can't comfortably walk, assistive devices should be available as needed.  I don't know how their "preferences" would be managed. That's rather unfamiliar territory in any ER I've been aware of.
     I can picture this:  Senior Citizen enters the ER and is seated in a comfy arm chair, maybe the lift type.  Piped in music plays 50's tunes.  Peppermint tea may be offered (if not precluded by "special medical needs."  Said Senior knows he/she is in a designated-by-age room, knows that his providers there have been trained specifically to deal with this older population.  Does that make the patient  feel better about it?  OR OR OR -----
             Would adult  patients of whatever age, on entering an Emergency Room, expect to be evaluated for the condition that caused their  appearance there?  Never mind the patronizing and condescending approach based on age, which resulted in their being funneled  into a "special" room; figure out what's wrong and help them  to feel better.  Age discrimination is one more thing an ailing senior citizen doesn't need, even if the music of Lawrence Welk plays in the background.
****Reading what I wrote above, and realizing there are only 6 Senior Rooms out of 44 treatment spaces and 29 rooms, it seems likely that the number of Senior Citizens in the ER at most given times will very likely exceed 6, so maybe the choice would be up to the old patient, maybe by lottery....