Older Adults in the Emergency Department: Experiences, Gaps, and Better Ways Forward
This educational session is designed for older adults, caregivers, healthcare providers, and members of the public interested in improving emergency care for aging populations.
Led by Dr. Mariko Sakamoto and Dr. Jae-Yung Kwon, the session will explore how older adults and their care partners experience care in emergency departments (EDs). Drawing on patient-oriented research, lived-experience workshops, patient narratives, and a rapid review of the literature, the session highlights a growing mismatch between emergency departments designed for speed and efficiency and the complex needs of older patients. The presenters will discuss common system-level challenges and share human-centred strategies that can improve dignity, trust, communication, and overall care experiences for older adults in emergency settings.
Dr. Mariko Sakamoto is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at the University of Victoria and founder and director of the Dementia Action Co-Lab. Dr. Jae-Yung Kwon is an Assistant Professor with the School of Nursing at UVic also. His research focuses on tailoring health services to promote person-centred care, meeting the unique needs of individual patients with progressive or life-threatening conditions, including cancer.