Review Article Initial Management of the Injured Elderly

ABSTRACT

It is well recognized that the proportion of the elderly is increasing. The population who are older than 65 years will become 52 millions by the year 2020. The number may exceed 68 million by the year 2040.1 Many of these elderly will sustain an injury during their lives and trauma in this age group usually relate with higher mortality rate than do in the adult. Except heart disease, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), stroke, diabetes and pneumonia, trauma is the seventh leading cause of death in the geriatric patients. Even though the elderly are less likely to be injured than the younger, the fatal outcome, 28% of all fatal injuries in the United State, are more likely in this age group.2,3 This evidence probably reflects the decreased physical reserves of the elderly due to the physiologic changes of aging, the developed co-morbidities and a lack of understanding of specific treatment by many health care providers.