ABSTRACT
For the patient side of the equation, the person(s) interacting with the patient is typically the radiology technologist, and therefore it is the technologist that needs to be particularly aware of issues that arise when older patients have radiographic exams. Older patients, especially those with mobility disabilities (e.g., walking aids), will require extra help climbing onto the examination table, sitting up after the exam is acquired (due to the lack of handholds and the surface pad not being xed in place), and maintaining position if the table moves (e.g., during a ¡uoroscopic exam where the table moves from horizontal to vertical). Although the core image acquisition technology cannot really be changed or adjusted specically for older patients, there are easy steps that can be taken such as replacing the stepstool to get on the table with a more rugged one that has hand rails and manually helping the patient get onto and off of the table. It is also useful for a radiology department to keep a standard walker on the premises for those patients who do not typically use a walker but might need the added support.
