This chapter from Outdoor Emergency Care: A Patroller's Guide to Medical Care (6th edition) focuses on geriatric emergencies. It aims to equip Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) Technicians with the knowledge and skills to effectively manage medical situations involving older adults, a rapidly growing demographic participating in outdoor activities. The text highlights the physiological changes that occur with aging across various body systems, emphasizing how these alterations impact the presentation, assessment, and management of both medical illnesses and traumatic injuries in seniors. A significant theme is the complexity introduced by medication use (polypharmacy) in the elderly and the unique considerations for trauma in geriatric patients, such as falls, fractures, and brain injuries. Finally, the chapter stresses the importance of effective communication and adapting assessment and management techniques to the specific needs of this population, as exemplified by a detailed case study.

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