What is the evidence for specialized geriatric services?
With proper elder-friendly care and community support, many frail seniors can continue living in their own homes, and unnecessary hospitalizations can be avoided. Specialized geriatric services are a major factor in meeting these challenges in acute hospitals and in the health care system in general. The fundamental premise of these services is that much of the disease, disability, and dependence associated with aging are preventable, treatable or manageable. Such services have been shown to decrease the length of stay, maintain functional abilities and lead to lower rates of long-term care institutionalization (Stuck, 1993). Specialized geriatric services lead to continued independence and improved quality of life, improved patient outcomes and increased clinical efficiencies in the health care system. Through consultation and education, specialized geriatric services serve an important role in influencing and sensitizing providers in the health care system to the needs of frail senio
