Geriatrics Department

The admission of an older patient to a hospital often has significant effects on the overall well-being and daily functioning of the elderly patient and their loved ones. A passionate interdisciplinary team led by geriatric specialists is ready to meet the physical, psychological and social needs of elder patients. The focus is always on maintaining or restoring the highest possible level of independence and quality of life, with the patient's needs at the centre.

The patient is approached from a geriatric perspective, which is supported by every discipline:

• A warm environment and approach are aimed for, where patients feel welcomed, respected and heard.
• The patient's capacity to make decisions (autonomy) is respected.
• The patient quickly wears everyday clothing to lessen the feeling of being ill.
• For the sake of a smooth recovery, every patient is encouraged to sit up in an adapted chair and start moving in the room as soon as his or her medical condition allows.
• Patients are encouraged to participate in a range of activities. These are provided by the physiotherapists and occupational therapists both for individuals and for groups in the exercise room.
• The informal carer is considered a valuable key figure and is actively involved in the hospitalisation process.

The interdisciplinary team includes physicians, nurses, social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, speech therapists, Pastoral Care Service, the Palliative Care Support Team, psychologists, volunteers, students and logistics and cleaning staff. Together, they aim to prevent chronic care needs as much as possible and to guide the elderly patient through the hospitalisation process in a professional and caring manner. This team, led by the geriatric specialists, meets weekly to discuss the condition and progress of each patient individually. During this weekly meeting, discipline-specific objectives and action points are formulated, adjusted and/or coordinated.

In addition to daily care and treatment, the interdisciplinary team will also suggest the discharge planning for the older patient, if applicable. Of course, the final decision to discharge a patient is only made after consultation with the patient and his or her family.

The Geriatrics Department in Ghent is located on the sixth floor (Gate D) and has 84 accredited beds distributed across three units: D601, D602 and D603. The respective intermediate and long-term care wards are accessible 24 hours a day.

D601

• Rooms 6101 - 6120.
• Nurse’s station telephone number: +32 (0)9 246 61 00.
• Head nurse: Anuschka Van Meirhaeghe (+32 (0)9 246 61 10).
  

D602 (incl. orthogeriatrics)

• Rooms 6201 - 6222.
• Nurse’s station telephone number: +32 (0)9 246 62 00.
• Head nurse: Tommy D'Haeyer (+32 (0)9 246 62 10).
  

D603

• Rooms 6301 - 6320.
• Nurse’s station telephone number: +32 (0)9 246 63 00.
• Head nurse: Valerie Dupont (+32 (0)9 246 63 10).

The Geriatrics Department in Deinze is located on the second floor and has 50 accredited beds distributed over two units: geriatrics 1(route 51) and geriatrics 2(route 147).

Geriatrics 1 (G1)

• Rooms 201 - 219.
• This unit is primarily focused on 'acute geriatrics' and admits older patients who have been admitted through the A&E Department and require hospitalisation. Patients' stay on this unit is usually of shorter duration.
• Nurse’s station telephone number: +32 (0)9 387 72 71.
• Head nurse: Bart Dereyne +32 (0)9 387 72 71).

Geriatrics 2 (G2)

• This unit usually receives elderly patients with fractures(ortho-geriatrics) who require a longer admission and/or rehabilitation.
• Nurse’s station telephone number: +32 (0)9 387 72 60.
• Head nurse: Bart Dereyne +32 (0)9 387 72 71).

With the aging population, there is an increase in the number of fractures among older adults, typically resulting from a fall. Fractures or breaks in (vulnerable) older adults are clearly associated with a lasting decrease in mobility and functionality, as well as a higher risk of institutionalisation. The mortality rate among older adults after a hip fracture is 30% within the first year.

To minimise the disabling effects of fractures, specific care is indicated. The Orthogeriatrics Department is a collaboration between the orthopaedics and geriatrics departments with the aim of providing optimal care for elderly patients before and after surgery for one or more fractures. Although the majority of patients come here with a hip fracture, older patients with all types of fractures can be treated here. Concentrating these patients as much as possible in one care unit (D602 in Ghent and G2 in Deinze) increases the team's knowledge and increases the quality of care for this patient group.

Through tailored and specialised treatment (with specific treatment plans for each type of fracture and/or surgery), we aim to help these older patients rehabilitate as independently as possible so they can resume daily activities to the greatest extent. After admission to the Orthogeriatrics Department, it is sometimes advisable for these patients to continue their stay in a Rehabilitation Department before returning to their home environment. These rehabilitation units offer an intensive rehabilitation programme aimed at maximising functional recovery. Patients in need of a continued rehabilitation pathway can visit the specialised treatment and rehabilitation service (SP Department) of our hospital or the specialised hospital department (SP department of Ghent or Deinze) of the Revales Rehabilitation Hospital in Lemberge or other centres offering rehabilitation or recovery pathways. Over the years, our hospital has developed a close partnership with the rehabilitation hospital Revales Lemberge (Merelbeke). As part of this partnership, the geriatric specialist and some rehabilitation doctors from our hospital are also working at Revales. This way, a good continuity of daily care and supervision is also provided there.

To make your stay on the Geriatrics Department as smooth as possible, we ask that you bring the following items:

• identity card
• letter of referral (if applicable)
• summary of your medication
• living will form (if applicable)
• form for the legal representative and/or contact person (if applicable)
• possibly eyeglasses, hearing aids and dentures
• comfortable daywear and nightwear
• comfortable closed shoes without heels
• toiletries (e.g. washcloths, towels, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste and shaving gear)
• relaxation items: book, magazines, tablet, laptop

The following items are better NOT to bring:

• more than €50.00 in cash
• jewellery or other valuables
• medication from home (unless specifically requested by the department)
• slippers or loose-fitting footwear