Hospitalizations and Emergency Room Visits in Community-Dwelling Individuals with Dementia

Individuals with dementia have been shown to have an increased rate of hospitalization and emergency room (ER) visits compared to older adults without dementia. This descriptive research study examined the frequency of hospitalizations and ER visits among community-dwelling individuals with dementia, reasons for hospitalization and ER visits, and caregivers’ actions to prevent these events. Sixty-three family caregivers who participated in education/support groups through local Alzheimer’s Association chapters completed a one-time survey. Eleven percent of caregivers reported their care recipient stayed overnight in the hospital at least once in the past month and 19 percent reported their care recipient visited the ER at least once in the past month. The top reason for hospitalizations was a fall-related injury and the most frequent reason for ER visits was a urinary tract infection. These leading reasons are found on the list of avoidable hospital conditions cited by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The caregivers reported giving medication, seeking healthcare services, and obtaining home care services, as the most frequently used preventive actions. Unpaid caregivers (family, friends, or neighbors) are the backbone of long-term care provided to individuals in the home, but these caregivers are not trained to deal with complex health issues. Based on these findings, family caregivers of individuals with dementia should be provided substantive education about potentially avoidable hospital conditions and effective actions to prevent hospitalizations and ER visits. This education has the potential to promote the health and well-being of older individuals as well as their unpaid caregivers.