Visiting an emergency department can be an overwhelming experience for anyone. There’s constant movement, loud noises, and bright lights. Often, visitors are there for hours — even days — at a time. For seniors in particular, this can be a lot of physical and mental stress. That’s why Dr. Margaret McGillivray is working to improve the emergency department (ED) experience for seniors. McGillivray is an emergency physician and the geriatric emergency medicine lead for the Calgary Zone at South Health Campus. She’s also the co-lead behind an innovative and much-needed addition to its ED: a geriatric emergency pod. Named for the generous support of Jay Westman, Diana Joseph, and The Westman Charitable Foundation, the Westman Family Seniors’ Emergency Pod will transform how seniors receive emergency care. “The Westman Family Seniors’ Emergency Pod is being intentionally designed with A FIRST IN ALBERTA The pod concept — where sections of the ED are designated for patients with specific health concerns — is unique. South Health Campus already has four pods appointed for specific areas of care, like pediatrics and psychiatry, and will be the first Alberta hospital to offer a geriatric-specific pod in an ED. This pod is critical as South Health Campus ED has seen a growing number of senior patients, increasing by 47 per cent since 2014. And as more hospitals experience overcrowding, older adults are spending more hours waiting specific, innovative enhancements to improve care delivered to older patients,” explains McGillivray. A SENIOR- FRIENDLY EMERGENCY SPACE An innovative new geriatric emergency pod will deliver improved care and comfort for seniors. By Karin Olafson
in an ED, increasing the risk of complications like delirium, a change in mental function causing confusion, disorientation, and trouble focusing. “Studies have reported one in eight older adults who spend even eight hours in the ED can develop delirium, which increases risk of a prolonged hospital stay, increases mortality risk, and can lead to further cognitive decline,”
says McGillivray. “We really want to prevent this from happening as much as we can.”
Dr. Margaret McGillivray
THOUGHTFUL DESIGN TO ACCOMMODATE SENIORS
The Westman Family Seniors’ Emergency Pod, made possible as part of Calgary Health Foundation’s current fundraising efforts, will be designed to improve the ED experience for seniors and prevent complications. The pod will have non-skid, non-reflective flooring to reduce fall risk; clutter will be limited, encouraging seniors to move safely around; and it will feature six comfortable, heated chairs in a semi-private space for seniors waiting for test results. Additionally, much of the pod’s design is focused on comfort and calm. “While there is no natural light in exam rooms in the ER, each patient room in the seniors’ pod will have circadian lighting to prevent day- night reversal, thereby reducing the risk of delirium and improving patient comfort and orientation,” says McGillivray. A skylight feature in the main area of the pod will also create a natural and more expansive feel to the space. Plans also include recreational therapy equipment, like sensory tiles, to aid individuals with dementia, and geriatric-specific education and orientation for all healthcare providers rotating through the pod. “Designing this pod and intentionally modifying what we can to reduce the risk of seniors developing delirium will have a significant impact on this patient population,” says McGillivray. “By offering an appropriate environment that's been thoughtfully designed to meet geriatric patients' needs, and by training our staff to be able to optimize their communication with patients living with dementia, we will be able to improve care.” The geriatric emergency pod is expected to begin delivering this specialized care for seniors by the summer of 2027.
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To support enhanced care through the Westman Family Seniors’ Emergency Pod, email fundraising@calgaryhealthfoundation.ca.
Breakthroughs [ Fall 2026 ]
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