Do you know the difference between urgent care and emergency room (ER) treatment? If you are a professional caregiver, you probably know the answer. But for most people who are providing care for their senior loved, perhaps they cannot distinguish any difference at all. More often than not, they think emergency room visits and looking for urgent care are just the same.
First, urgent care clinics provide a substitute to the ER with an added benefit of being cheaper without the long waits. Incidentally, ER’s can provide all the urgent care clinics can offer. However, the opposite is untrue. There are symptoms and treatments available only at the ER.
Also, a general rule of thumb is, if the condition is non-life threatening but can no longer wait until the next day or treatment of a primary care physician, then, urgent care is an ideal option. In this article, you will discover 5 more reasons why you should take an older adult to an urgent care center.
6 Common Causes of Urgent Care Visits Among Seniors
According to Urgent Medical Center, “48% of people who went to the ER but were not confined at a hospital were there because their normal doctor was not open at that time.” This what makes urgent care different as it has extended hours. Therefore, every emergency department visit, it is ideal to check first, if urgent care services near you are available.
If you haven’t known, you may opt to take an elderly patient to an urgent care clinic than the ER, anytime you need to. Below are the 6 common causes or reasons why a senior patient should go through urgent care:
- Sprain or fracture
- Shallow cuts and lacerations
- Minor burns and blister
- Upper respiratory conditions such as colds, sinus infections and flu-like symptoms
- Minor eye, nose, ear and throat problems
- Animal bites and specific reactions to stings and insect bites
Considerations to Take When Choosing this Kind of Care for Seniors
If you or your loved one needs quick medical care, you should bear several considerations in mind when opting for the place to go. For diseases such as the sore throat or cold, going to your primary care doctor during clinic hours (or even after-hours sessions) should be your priority. This does not only keep your care management under health care providers umbrella with an existing medical history, but it is usually more affordable in terms of insurance coverage.
Nevertheless, if you cannot set a meeting with your doctor soon, consider letting the older adult go through urgent care. However, it is essential to know that the insurance co-pays vary from your regular physician. Say, you don’t have any insurance, payment is usually required in full during your visit.
Signs to Watch that It’s Time for an Urgent Care
If your parent or grandparent is not a life-threatening condition but is severe enough to grant medical attention the soonest possible, proceed to your local urgent care clinic. Here are some signs to watch and monitor:
- Fever but without the appearance of rashes
- Painful ears
- Painful when urinating
- Sore throat
- Chest pain
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Any sign of cold or flu
- A minor injury like sprain or wound that’s not too deep
Choosing the right facility for you
Whether it’s urgent care or hospital emergency treatment that you need for your senior loved one, you surely need someone to assist you. Why not consider having a caregiver for the older adult in the family to ensure his safe trip to the doctor’s office. And, because there’s a lot of them, you may find it challenging to find the best one for your loved one.
Is there a senior in your family who needs care but you cannot personally provide that care because you’re busy? Let our experienced caregivers assist you. Call Innovative Homecare Solutions, Inc. today (+1-630-225-0100) for your senior family member’s free assessment. With us, you will surely get the deserving pay for live in care.
