Winter Park Memorial Hospital in central Florida recently opened the region's first ER for seniors. It was created to promote healing, reduce anxiety and minimize risks that may accompany hospitalization, according to an article on the Medical Construction & Design website.

In addition to specially trained staff, the facility's amenities will include magnifying glasses, hearing amplifiers, large-print publications and crossword puzzles and high-back chairs that are easier for seniors and their caregivers to maneuver.

The number of Americans who are 65 years and older are expected to skyrocket by 2030, and seniors are projected to be the fastest growing age segment in Central Florida in the next five years, the article said.

“Seniors are a vital part of our community, and it is important for us to recognize and take their unique needs into consideration,” Ken Bradley, administrator of Winter Park Memorial Hospital, said in the article. “While we made several aesthetic changes to make their experience in our hospital more comfortable, the greatest asset of the Senior ER is our staff who are trained in best practices of geriatric care."

Read the article.