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EMS Tips

Geriatric Patient Assessment Tips

Everyday EMS geriatric assessment tips for any geriatric patient:

  • Introduce yourself
  • Explain your actions before and as you do them
  • Ask a single question at a time
  • Wait for the patient to think through their answer before interrupting with a new question or re-asking the same question
  • Listen to the patient’s answer
  • Only raise your voice volume if the patient has a hearing impairment

What are your assessment tips for geriatric patients?

Learn more about geriatric patient assessment in a 1.0 CECBEMS approved CE lesson from RapidCE.com. The lesson was written by paramedic, EMS educator, and CBRF owner/operator Michael Fraley.

By Greg Friese

Greg Friese, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, is an author, educator, paramedic, and marathon runner.

Greg was the co-host of the award winning EMSEduCast podcast, the only podcast by and for EMS educators. Greg has written for EMS1.com, JEMS.com, Wilderness Medical Associates, JEMS Magazine, EMSWorld.com and EMS World Magazine, and the NAEMSE Educator Newsletter.