A three-decade review of thermal injuries among the elderly at a regional burn centre

Aim To review trends in incidence and treatment of thermal injuries among the elderly. Method A 3-year retrospective review of medical records of people aged 65 years and older admitted to our burn centre over July 2003–June 2006. Results Elderly people with burns continued to have significant comorbidities. They were often burned because they were inappropriately trying to live alone. Thus discharge was often complicated. Conclusions At our burn centre, survival among elderly people with burns has increased, probably as a result of more sophisticated medical, surgical and nursing care, as well as more extensive rehabilitation.