Improving Emergency Department Experiences for Older Adults

This project, funded by the Eldercare Foundation, addresses the urgent need to improve emergency department (ED) experiences for older adults in the Island Health region—home to the highest proportion of older adults in BC. Through a patient-oriented research (POR) approach, Phase 1 will involve a rapid review of effective ED interventions and two one-day workshops centering the voices of older adults with lived experience and their caregivers. By bringing together patients, families, ED staff, researchers, and decision-makers, the project aims to identify and prioritize practical, evidence-based strategies to enhance seniors’ care in the ED. This collaborative effort, co-led by Dr. Mariko Sakamoto and in partnership with Island Health, supports aging with dignity and aligns with quality improvement goals across Island Health.