ABSTRACT
A prospective survey carried out over two periods (35 days total) presented a typology of people aged 75 and older entering the admitting and emergency unit of a university hospital center, and underlined the specifics of the care they received. These patients represent 27.8% of patients received in the unit. The women (60.9%) live preferentially alone at home or in group establishment. The majority of admissions are the result of a referral from the patients' doctors. Tuesday remains the busiest day for admissions (19.7% of total admissions). 10.9% of patients arrive alone and without health records. The specialist is solicited for 41.3% of older people. Their autonomy level (measured with the AGGI R grid) is evaluated during the emergency visit. An analysis of pathological profiles shows a preponderance of acute problems with risk of degenerative problems (54.9%). Social problems (8.2% of patients) particularly affect the group with multiple pathologies. The choice of placement is more often in specialty services (61.3%) than geriatric services (18.7%). A return to ones previous home is more rarely re-envisaged. The placement obtained corresponds to the desired placement in 68% of cases. Lack of beds is the main cause in cases where the desired placement is not achieved. While the care of older people admitted for "specialised" reasons poses little problem many pathologies including "social" issues, and are admitted for "general" reasons) is a very different issue.