Hospital Stay & Extended Care for Seniors

Inpatient Care for Older Adults

When you are admitted to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) as an adult over age 65, you receive specialized care. Our gerontology team brings expertise in gerontology to address your unique needs as an older adult with multiple, complex health concerns. We understand that hospitalization can be stressful for you, your family, and caregivers.

We provide personalized and compassionate care. During your stay, we work with your care team to:

• Avoid unnecessary testing or procedures.
• Promote a quicker recovery.
• Reduce complications such as delirium, falls, and urinary tract infections.
• Shorten the length of your hospital stay.

Our geriatric experts provide consultations to assess and treat any conditions you have. We coordinate and follow your care throughout your hospital stay.

Before discharge, we schedule a follow-up appointment with your primary care doctor.

Short & Long-Term Care Facility Transitions

You may need to continue your care after your hospital stay. Your doctor may order care in a rehabilitation center or long-term care setting like a nursing home. We know this can be a vulnerable time for you and your family. We make sure your family, caregivers and primary care doctor know about your condition.

We provide lots of communication, such as: 

• A summary of your hospital care. 
• Confirmation of correct discharge medications. 
• Scheduling follow-up appointments. 

You may work with a case manager or social worker who coordinates your care and ensures a safe transition. The BIDMC senior health team works with Hebrew SeniorLife, which provides short and long-term care, adult day health and outpatient rehabilitation services.

Hebrew SeniorLife provides integrated care for older adults in multiple settings, such as:

• Apartment complexes. 
• Continuing care retirement communities. 
• Rehabilitation centers.

At BIDMC, we also work with the Goddard House assisted living community.