Professor June-Sung Kim of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Asan Medical Center introduces how to respond to emergencies involving older adults, including stroke, heart disease, and falls.

“It contains practical information that can be applied immediately in everyday life. I hope it will help save many lives in critical moments.”

▲ Professor June-Sung Kim of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Asan Medical Center

From sudden falls, fever, and dizziness to time-critical conditions such as stroke and cardiovascular disease, emergencies involving older adults can begin anywhere, at any time, often with subtle and unexpected symptoms. However, many older adults and their families fail to recognize these warning signs as medical emergencies, frequently missing the golden time for treatment.

Professor June-Sung Kim of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Asan Medical Center, who has encountered countless emergency situations in clinical practice, has recently published ‘Emergency Response Guidelines for Older Adults Every Family Should Know’, a book that comprehensively outlines how to recognize and respond to emergencies involving older adults.

According to statistics from the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine, older adults aged 65 and over account for 15 percent of all emergency center visits, and among them, 36.5 percent require hospitalization due to the severity of their conditions.

Unlike younger patients, emergency conditions in older adults often present with vague symptoms, deteriorate more rapidly, and recover more slowly. Yet few people are able to accurately recognize and respond to these situations. In most cases, signs such as low energy or subtle changes from usual behavior are easily dismissed. However, a moment of hesitation can determine the quality of life for the next decade.

The author, Professor Kim, has worked as a board certified emergency medicine specialist since 2018 and has conducted research in emergency medicine, resuscitation medicine, and septic shock. Having witnessed many patients stand at the crossroads of life and death after missing the golden time in clinical settings, Professor Kim compiled the book to help members of the general public without medical training recognize emergencies involving older adults at an early stage and respond immediately with situation-specific preparedness and response measures.

The book is structured in three parts: understanding older adults, response strategies for major emergencies, and prevention and everyday preparedness.

Part One explains the physical characteristics of older adults, why the same disease can present differently in older patients, and why preserving the golden time in emergencies is critical.

Part Two introduces practical response methods for major emergencies commonly seen in older adults, categorizing them by symptoms. These include time-critical conditions such as stroke and cardiovascular disease, as well as falls, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, and dizziness. The section presents concrete assessment tools and response guidelines that can be easily used at home by non-medical readers, including the F.A.S.T stroke self-assessment method.

Part Three focuses on daily management strategies to prevent emergencies before they occur and offers practical advice for family members and caregivers, who often face physical strain and emotional stress comparable to those of patients themselves. The appendix includes an emergency checklist for quick reference in urgent situations.

Professor June-Sung Kim of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Asan Medical Center said, “Emergencies involving older adults can occur anytime and anywhere, but without knowing how to respond, people can easily fall into confusion. This book focuses on practical information that can be used immediately in real life rather than on medical theory. I hope this knowledge will spread more widely and help save many lives by allowing someone to reach out and help in critical moments.”