Geriatric emergency medicine: time for a new approach on a European level.

Editorial Throughout Europe, the older population is increasing. Of the 551 million inhabitants, 19.4% were of 65 years and over in 2017, it is expected that in 2040 that number will rise to 27%[1]. With increasing age, there is an increased risk of disease and both are associated with increasing Emergency Department attendances. But although EDs are well organised environments in which effective and cost-effective emergency care is delivered 24/7, it is questionable whether older patients, especially those with frailty, optimally benefit from this care the way it is currently organised [2]. Older patients living with frailty may present with syndromes such as delirium and falls. Compared to younger patients, older patients are at high risk of adverse outcomes such as admission, readmission, institutionalisation and death [3]. For older patients, other outcomes such as functional decline may be even more important. But evidence on how to treat older patients is lacking, as older patients are often excluded from clinical studies and specific frailty syndromes are not reported, even in trials designed specifically for this patient group.[4, 5].