Addressing the needs of elderly radiology patients.

Elderly patients have special needs when undergoing radiographic examinations. This article describes three approaches radiologic technologists may use to meet those needs: a gerontologic approach for the well elderly, a geriatric approach for the frail elderly, and a number of departmental adaptations for all older patients. A well-defined science of patient care that includes knowledge of the elderly is essential to the continued growth of the profession of radiography.