Credits Hours: 1.50

Course Description:
Patients over the age of 65 are the largest population transported to the hospital by ambulance. The number of geriatric patients transported to hospitals will rise as Americans continue to age. This course will discuss the anatomic and physiologic differences in the geriatric patient, psychosocial, abuse, and pharmacologic issues specific to the elderly patient, and appropriate assessment and management techniques unique to the older patient.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Identify potential anatomic and physiologic differences in the geriatric patient and the associated respective risks.
• Summarize the effects of polypharmacy in the geriatric patient.
• Determine the appropriate management techniques for illnesses and injuries affecting the elderly patient.
• Determine whether a geriatric patient is experiencing a medical emergency, issues relative to a disease process, or part of ?normal? aging.