What question did this study set out to answer?

To analyze the characteristics and needs of elderly patients visiting the emergency department amid rising demographic changes.

June 18, 2026Open Access

Profile of Elderly Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department: A Prospective Observational Study

Key Points

To analyze the characteristics and needs of elderly patients visiting the emergency department amid rising demographic changes.
Prospective observational study design
Focused on elderly individuals aged 60 years and above
Data collection on health conditions and demographic information
Increased percentage of elderly patients observed in the emergency department
Highlighting the rise in comorbidities among older individuals
Demographic trends suggest growing need for specialized care for the aging population

Abstract

According to data from World Population Prospects: the 2019 revision, by 2050, one in six people in the world will be over age 65 years (16%), up from 1 in 11 in 2019 (9%).For India, a report released by the United Nations Population Fund and HelpAge India suggests that the number of elderly persons is expected to grow to 173 million by 2026. 5vailability of better health care facilities and decreasing mortality rate probably contributed to this demographic change, thus acquiring India the label of "an aging nation."Therefore, older IntroductIon"Caring for those who once took care of, us is the service of highest honor."This quote becomes more practical in our profession, which deals with the day-to-day health problems in the elderly population and tries to make the senescence part of life a more comfortable one.Over time, the majority of them gather multiple comorbidities.With the toll of time and stress on body and mind, and the gradual wear and tear of various systems in the body, they become more dependent on caregivers for their usual needs.According to current demographic trends over the long run, if mortality continues to decline, the share of the population of working age will decline, and that of older persons will increase, leading to rising dependency ratios, and when this happens, the phenomenon is termed as the 'demographic burden'.This is an inevitable consequence of demographic transition, and every country has to face this problem with development and a successful demographic transition. 1 Various countries use varied definitions and terms for defining the old-age population, such as senior citizens, elderly geriatric population, etc.United Nations has agreed on the age of ≥ 60 years to be included in the old age group. 2 WHO reduced the age limit to 50 years for study in Africa. 3In India, we refer to senior citizens/ elderly as ≥ 60 years of age, as indicated in the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.Therefore, for this study the elderly will be taken as age equal to or above 60 years. 4

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