Amid rising concerns over emergency room readiness, the ordeal of Tracy Balhan’s father, Bill Speer, highlights a troubling trend affecting dementia patients. After experiencing severe agitation, Speer, who was grappling with dementia, was taken to Endeavor Health’s Edward Hospital in Naperville, Illinois. Despite the hospital’s connection to a behavioral care unit, Speer endured a 12-hour wait in the emergency room, at times restrained by staff, before a psychiatric evaluation was conducted. This situation, known as ER boarding, is increasingly common and signifies a broader issue within the healthcare system.
Data analysis by the Associated Press and Side Effects Public Media underscores the prevalence of long ER waits, particularly for those aged 65 and older. In 2022, one in six emergency department visits that led to hospital admission involved a wait of four hours or more. As the U.S. braces for a demographic shift of aging baby boomers and rising dementia rates, experts warn that these waits may lengthen without systemic changes.
The stagnation in hospital bed availability, despite a 30 to 40 percent increase in emergency department visits over two decades, exacerbates the issue. Hospitals prioritize beds for lucrative, scheduled procedures, leaving fewer resources for emergency care. This trend is particularly detrimental to dementia patients, who face heightened risks of developing delirium during prolonged ER stays.
Healthcare experts argue that addressing ER boarding requires a comprehensive overhaul of the current system. Historical policy decisions have limited hospital bed numbers, and the pandemic has further reduced staffed beds by 16 percent. The existing beds are often reserved for non-urgent procedures, as hospitals receive higher insurance reimbursements for these services. Consequently, emergency rooms, already under strain, struggle to accommodate patients needing immediate care.
The scarcity of adult day centers and the closure of numerous nursing homes and behavioral health centers compound the problem, resulting in extended hospital stays due to discharge challenges. In Illinois, families like Nancy Fregeau’s face the challenge of finding suitable care for loved ones with dementia. Her husband, Michael Reeman, often experiences lengthy ER waits, exacerbating his condition.
Balhan’s experience with her father’s treatment highlights the need for a dignified approach to patient care. Despite the hospital’s inability to comment on specific cases, the experience reflects a widespread sentiment of being failed by the healthcare system.
The Human Angle
The ongoing challenges in emergency room care for dementia patients pose significant repercussions for families and the healthcare system overall. As ER boarding becomes more prevalent, individuals and caregivers must navigate an increasingly complex medical landscape. The emotional toll on families is profound, with extended ER waits causing anxiety for both patients and their loved ones.
Communities face the daunting task of adapting to the needs of an aging population amidst declining healthcare resources. The closures of nursing homes and limited availability of adult day centers further strain local support systems, leaving families struggling to find adequate care. This situation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive healthcare reforms that address resource allocation, policy changes, and family support mechanisms.
