Geriatric patient definition: at least 65 years old and impaired as a result of aging

The ARRT® definition has two parts, and a patient must meet both:

1. At least 65 years old.
2. Physically or cognitively impaired as a result of aging.

The wording is the same in the competency document in force through February 28, 2027, and in the one effective March 1, 2027.

Where does the definition apply?

It appears in ARRT’s Didactic and Clinical Competency Requirements. There, it decides which patients count toward the geriatric competencies, such as a routine chest. The exam outline doesn’t define the term. It only lists age, with pediatric and geriatric as examples, under special considerations for technique charts.

So don’t stretch it into a rule that only people who meet it get careful treatment. Other groups and textbooks use “geriatric” more loosely, and your program may too.

Who counts and who doesn’t?

Patient	Geriatric under ARRT’s wording?	What you do
68, impaired by age-related changes	Yes	Adapt your care
70, active, no impairment	No	Treat as you’d treat any adult, and watch for needs
62, impaired after a stroke	No, under 65	Adapt your care anyway
60, active	No	Treat as you’d treat any adult

An earlier version of this page called the 62-year-old geriatric. That was wrong under the definition it quoted.

How do you adapt the exam?

Assess each patient individually. Ehrlich and Coakes stress that many older people have no impairment, so don’t assume one.

Communication. Reduce background noise, face the patient, get their attention and use clear, simple instructions. Give one instruction at a time. Let them keep their glasses and hearing aids as long as you can. Touch can help show what you mean. For a patient with hearing loss, Ehrlich and Coakes say to speak lower as well as louder and not to shout, and Bontrager says a lowered voice with increased volume helps with significant hearing loss. Our communication chapter adds its own advice: start at a normal volume, since not every older patient is hard of hearing.

Falls. CDC says 1 in 4 people 65 and older falls each year. Help the patient on and off the table, when changing position and when sitting down. Allow extra time.

Skin and comfort. Older skin tears and bruises easily. Avoid adhesive tape where you can, and take care when you remove it. A radiolucent pad and extra blankets add comfort and warmth.

Technique. Bontrager says kV, mAs or both may need to come down with manual technique, because osteoporosis is common. Follow your facility’s chart. Older patients may have tremors, so a short exposure time with a high mA lowers the risk of motion. Our note on breathing and motion explains how motion is classed.

An earlier version of this page advised lowering kVp and raising mAs. We found no source for that, and it contradicted the page’s own point that older bone attenuates less.

For transfers, read the transfer and support chapter. For the whole section, see our Patient Care guide, then drill the Patient Interactions practice set.