According to California Health and Human Services in 2017, 25% of the emergency department visits in the non-federal facilities of California were made by older adults or adults aged 60 and above. In addition, 29% of these visits led to hospital admission. In a report by the Public Policy Institute of California, 15.8% of the state population in 2022 were 65 years old and older. 

Medical emergencies are unforeseeable and older adults are the most vulnerable. Despite this, it is important that we know how to identify signs of complications and how to respond to these situations. Our prompt response and immediate action can save someone’s life. 

The Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA), founded in 1967, has compiled the following common medical emergencies. 

1. Heart Attack

What are the complications you should look out for? 

Coughing or wheezing, chest pain (pressure or tightness in the center of the chest), feeling or being sick, having a sense of anxiety, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, sweating, pain in the left arm that starts from the chest, and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing from the chest. 

What should you do? 

Call an ambulance and immediately give them CPR. 

2. Stroke

What are the complications you should look out for? 

Remember FAST: Facial drooping on one side, Arm weakness or numbness (typically in one arm), Speech difficulty (slurred speech), Time 

What should you do? 

Act fast and call an ambulance. Immediate care in stroke is necessary and delays could lead to death. 

3. Choking

What are the complications you should look out for? 

A look of panic, clutching the throat, inability to talk or make noise, squeaky sounds when trying to breathe, turning blue in the face, and loss of consciousness.

What should you do? 

Do back blows, Heimlich maneuver, or chest thrusts to dislodge the obstruction. 

4. Unconsciousness

What are the complications you should look out for? 

Remember ABC: Airway check if the patient is experiencing labored breathing, Breathing of the patient, Circulation by checking signs of heartbeat, bleeding, and pulse

What should you do? 

Call for emergency medical assistance.

5. Respiratory Disease

What are the complications you should look out for? 

Feeling extremely tired, chest pain when taking deep breaths, rapid and shallow breaths, crackling sound in the lungs, shortness of breaths, and feeling extremely tired.

What should you do? 

Call for emergency medical assistance and offer first aid by monitoring their breathing, loosening their clothing, helping them use their prescribed drugs for asthma, and bandaging any open wound if there is any. 

6. Seizures

What are the complications you should look out for? 

Twitching movements, stiffening of the body, staring or looking into space, and uncontrollable shaking. 

What should you do? 

Stay with the patient until their seizure ends and tell them what happened once they have recovered. It is important to remember that while they are having seizures, you should not hold them down because it is dangerous. 

7. Severe Allergic Reactions

What are the complications you should look out for? 

A weak and rapid pulse, wheezing or coughing, feeling dizzy, difficulty breathing or swallowing, nausea, skin reaction, and swelling of the throat or tongue. 

What should you do? 

Use an epinephrine auto-injector (only if prescribed) and bring the patient to the emergency room or call for medical emergency assistance.

8. Severe External Bleeding 

What are the complications you should look out for? 

Blood flowing continuously, weakness, rapid pulse, and paleness. 

What should you do? 

While waiting for the ambulance to arrive, lie the patient down. If a limb is injured, it should be raised above the level of the person’s heart. Direct pressure should be applied to the wound to stimulate blood flow. Apply a dressing and secure it with a bandage. If there is an object in the wound, it should not be removed and pressure around the object should be applied.

9. Internal Bleeding

What are the complications you should look out for? 

A visible complication is a bruise. However, the signs of internal bleeding that is not visible are nausea and vomiting, breathlessness, pain at the injured site, unconsciousness, swollen abdomen, extreme thirst, and pale and sweating skin.  

What should you do? 

Call an ambulance for emergency medical response. While waiting for the ambulance, lay the patient down with their legs raised above the level of their heart and do not give them anything to drink or eat. 

To learn more on how to provide efficient care, check out the Ca Care Association News and Resources.