Emergency Departments for Seniors in Denver, CO

Emergency Care Designed With Seniors in Mind

The Senior ER at Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital was developed around the physical, medical, and communication needs of older adults. According to its Seniors Blue Book listing, it was Colorado’s first emergency room facility constructed with seniors’ needs in mind. ram incorporates a geriatric-focused philosophy of care and specialized screenings for older patients. These practices are intended to identify concerns that may not be obvious from the primary reason for the emergency visit.

Depending on the patient’s condition, senior-focused screening may help the care team consider issues such as:

• Medication interactions
• Fall risk
• Changes in memory or mental status
• Sensory limitations
• Mobility and balance concerns
• The ability to manage safely after discharge
• The availability of caregiver or family support

The Senior ER’s approach is also intended to help reduce avoidable readmissions and lower the risk of harmful medication interactions. 

Medical emergencies can be disorienting for anyone. They may be particularly stressful for someone who has hearing loss, vision changes, dementia, or difficulty processing unfamiliar information.

The Senior ER listing reports that physicians and nurses have participated in workshops focused on sensory appreciation and ageism. This training helps caregivers better understand how sensory changes and assumptions about aging can influence communication with older patients.

Family members and caregivers can also play an important role by explaining:

• What the patient is normally able to do independently
• Whether confusion or weakness is new
• Which medications were recently added or changed
• Whether the patient has fallen recently
• What support is available at home
• Whether the patient has an advance directive
• Who should receive updates about the patient’s care

Providing this background can help the medical team recognize meaningful changes and plan for a safer transition after treatment.

Emergency and Level II Trauma Services

Lutheran Hospital’s emergency department provides care for illnesses, injuries, and complex medical emergencies. Its team includes emergency physicians, trauma and specialty surgeons, specialty-trained nurses, technicians, pharmacists, care managers, and other healthcare professionals. It is also a Level II Trauma Center equipped to provide definitive care for patients with complex and severe injuries. Trauma services can address head injuries, broken bones, and injuries caused by accidents, falls, or violence. Lutheran Hospital campus opened in August 2024 at Clear Creek Crossing. The 620,000-square-foot hospital has 226 licensed beds, a rooftop helipad, and direct access from the helipad to trauma rooms, stroke care, and other critical hospital areas. Its location near Interstate 70 and West 40th Avenue was selected in part to improve access for emergency medical transportation. ss Stressful Emergency Care Experience

The Senior ER is intended to offer a less chaotic and stressful environment for older patients while supporting appropriate emergency evaluation and treatment. Unnecessary stress can be particularly important for patients with dementia, hearing loss, anxiety, or difficulty adjusting to unfamiliar surroundings. Families can support the patient by bringing hearing aids, glasses, mobility devices, and information about the person’s normal routine.

Caregivers should tell the medical team when a patient has dementia or another cognitive condition. A sudden increase in confusion should never automatically be attributed to aging or dementia because it may be connected to an infection, medication problem, dehydration, injury, or another acute medical condition.

Planning for a Safe Discharge

Senior emergency care includes more than treating the immediate illness or injury. The Senior ER also focuses on helping patients transition to the most appropriate and safe environment after the emergency visit. Patients may be discharged home with follow-up instructions. Others may need hospital admission, observation, rehabilitation, home health services, additional caregiver assistance, or transfer to another care setting.

Before leaving the emergency department, patients and caregivers should understand:

• The diagnosis or suspected cause of the symptoms
• Any medication changes
• Warning signs that require another emergency visit
• Activity or dietary restrictions
• Recommended medical appointments
• Instructions for wound or injury care
• Whether the patient should be left alone
• What mobility or safety assistance may be needed

Intermountain Health provides patients with discharge instructions and information about prescriptions and continued treatment. The emergency team may also communicate information to the patient’s regular doctor to support follow-up care. 

An emergency should never be delayed while searching for paperwork. However, when time allows, families can bring information that may help the medical team provide faster and more accurate care.

Intermountain Health recommends bringing:

• A current medication list
• A list of allergies
• Emergency contact information
• Insurance cards
• Photo identification
• Advance directives or other relevant legal documents

Patients may receive bloodwork, X-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds, MRIs, or other diagnostic testing based on their symptoms and medical needs. Patients may also want to bring the patient’s glasses, hearing aids, walker, phone charger, and a written summary of recent health changes.

Why Senior Emergency Care Matters in Denver

Denver and its surrounding communities are home to older adults with a wide range of lifestyles and support needs. Some seniors live independently, while others receive assistance from family members, home care agencies, senior communities, or skilled nursing providers.

When an emergency occurs, the immediate medical problem is only one part of the situation. The patient’s medications, mobility, memory, living arrangement, and caregiver support can all influence recovery.

A senior-focused emergency department helps families address these connected concerns. Lutheran Hospital’s location in Wheat Ridge gives residents of western Denver and Jefferson County access to senior-focused emergency care, hospital services, trauma specialists, diagnostic testing, and inpatient treatment in one location.

Its proximity to Interstate 70 may also improve access for ambulances and families traveling from Lakewood, Golden, Arvada, Denver, and nearby foothills communities. o Get Started

Families can prepare for a future emergency before one occurs.

Create an Emergency Information Packet

Keep the following information together in an envelope, folder, or secure phone document:

1. Current medications and dosages
2. Medication and food allergies
3. Medical conditions and previous surgeries
4. Names and phone numbers of physicians
5. Emergency contacts
6. Insurance information
7. Advance directives
8. Preferred hospital information
9. Information about mobility or communication needs
10. A short description of the person’s normal mental and physical abilities

Update the packet whenever medications, diagnoses, or emergency contacts change.

Related Senior Care Categories

• Urgent Care Clinics
• Rehabilitation Facilities
• Emergency Response Systems

This article was researched and written by Seniors Blue Book. Seniors Blue Book connects seniors, families, and caregivers with trusted local senior care resources across the country. Browse local listings, read expert articles, and order a free printed guide at seniorsbluebook.com.