--- title: Respiratory Assessment and the Elderly Patient description: Geriatric patients are more likely to experience respiratory emergencies such as pneumonia, aspiration, and severe respiratory infections. Proper respiratory assessment is critical for informing treatment and can greatly reduce the risk of complications. image: https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/Blog%20278%20-%20Compressed.jpg --- [![dark-header.jpg](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hub/212347/file-1107077240.jpg?width=940&name=file-1107077240.jpg "dark-header.jpg")](https://www.sscor.com/) ## **Thank you for visiting the SSCOR Blog.** Whether you're in a Hospital or EMS setting, this is the place for you. We'll share information on current industry news, tips, as well as the latest and greatest in SSCOR products. Our hope is that this blog is not only informative but a collaborative and open forum for you to share your thoughts on developing opportunities and challenges within your profession. Subscribe. Share your thoughts. Enjoy. -SSCOR Team   # [Respiratory Assessment and the Elderly Patient](https://blog.sscor.com/respiratory-assessment-and-the-elderly-patient) Posted by [Sam D. Say](https://blog.sscor.com/author/sam-d-say) Jul 16, 2026 8:00:04 AM 4 min read - [![LinkedIn Social Icon](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/142915/file-2628248555-png/images/icons/linkedin-small.png) ](https://blog.sscor.com/respiratory-assessment-and-the-elderly-patient#) 0 - [![Facebook Social Icon](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/142915/file-2623658044-png/images/icons/fb-small.png) ](https://blog.sscor.com/respiratory-assessment-and-the-elderly-patient#) 0 ![Respiratory Assessment and the Elderly Patient](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20278%20-%20Compressed.jpg?width=2121&name=Blog%20278%20-%20Compressed.jpg) Geriatric patients are more likely to experience respiratory emergencies such as pneumonia, aspiration, and severe [respiratory infections](https://blog.sscor.com/common-winter-health-issues-involving-geriatric-patients). A range of [physiological changes](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4675650/), including muscle atrophy, can make airway assessment and management more difficult.    This is why morbidities related to suction and airway management are more common in this population. Proper respiratory assessment is critical for informing treatment and can greatly reduce the risk of complications.    ## **Elderly Emergency Management: Airway First** About 90% of seniors have [at least one chronic illness](https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/about/index.html). Many of these illnesses, pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disorders, and chest injuries, to name a few, directly affect the airway. This means that in any emergency involving a geriatric patient, respiratory assessment is vital to their well-being. In younger patients, consciousness is a straightforward matter. In elderly patients, dementia, nervous system injuries, and circulatory disorders can make a patient seem confused despite being fully conscious. This can complicate the initial assessment and warrants seeking information from secondary sources, such as the nearby family, if possible. Always be alert to the possibility that [a patient has a pacemaker](https://blog.sscor.com/geriatric-airway-management-what-paramedics-must-know). ## **Respiratory Assessment in Geriatric Patients** Respiratory assessment in geriatric patients should follow the usual protocols, including looking for the standard signs of a blocked airway. Patients may need suction when: - Oxygen saturation drops on a pulse oximeter. - There is a clear obstruction in the airway. - The patient is hoarse, has a barking cough, or is unable to clear their own airway. - There is a suspected obstruction, or the patient requests suction. Before beginning suction, it’s critical to visualize the airway. As with all patients, you must be able to see what you are doing. Special considerations for geriatric populations include: - Looking for broken or missing teeth, which can make obtaining a seal more difficult - A rigid neck and less muscle tone - Dementia that impedes communication, increases combativeness, and potentially causes panic - Bridges, dentures, and other oral hardware that may break loose and obstruct the airway[![New: Ultimate Guide To Purchasing A Portable Emergency Suction Device](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/212347/55c49bab-8acd-48d9-a274-d480a9b3e678.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212347/55c49bab-8acd-48d9-a274-d480a9b3e678) ## **Special Considerations for Airway Suction in Elderly Patients** Elderly patients have a right to sensitive care and explanations that make sense to them. Don’t make the mistake of assuming that an older person can’t understand or consent to treatment. Instead, speak to them in a respectful tone. Encourage them to talk about their concerns if they are able. Then, explain to them the purposes of suction. Many of the same skills used in pediatric patients can work well in elderly patients with dementia. The key is to remain calm and compassionate: Don’t be aggressive or forceful. Airway suction in elderly patients is not technically different from that for other patients. Select a catheter approximately half the size of the internal diameter of the endotracheal tube for optimal suction, and limit suction to about seven seconds. The key difference when suctioning elderly populations is that it is important to remain attuned to potential complications. Be mindful of the following: - Decreased airway lubrication and muscle tone, increasing the risk of laryngeal and other injuries - That endotracheal intubation may result in a [transient hypertensive and tachycardic response](https://www.reliasmedia.com/articles/146369-airway-management-in-older-adult-trauma-patients), especially when multiple attempts are needed. - Age-related changes to the intervertebral discs mean limitations in the movement of the neck and back. This includes a decrease in the diameter of the nucleus pulposus, an increase in hydrostatic pressure within the annulus, and a narrowing of the intervertebral space. This results in difficult intubation. By following protocols, remaining sensitive to patient concerns, and carefully monitoring each patient, you can greatly reduce the risk of injuries and increase the potential of successful treatment. **Training and Equipment Issues in Elderly Patients** It’s easy to develop a list of special concerns faced by elderly patients. What’s harder is providing exceptional care in stressful, high-stakes situations. Patients may be angry or panicked. Others may have family who intrude upon the assessment or otherwise make the situation more difficult. No textbook can possibly prepare an EMS professional for the challenging realities that real patients present. This is why preparation is so important. Your team must rehearse and drill real-world scenarios, ideally in high-stress environments. It’s equally important to select the [right portable suction unit](https://www.sscor.com/index.html). Portable suction offers easier access to care, saves time, and ensures you can carry a suction unit in your tactical medical bag. For help selecting the right portable suction unit for your agency, we’ve published [The Ultimate Guide to Purchasing a Portable Emergency Suction Device](https://info.sscor.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-purchasing-a-portable-emergency-suction-device).   *Editor's Note: This blog was originally published on June 3rd, 2022. It has been re-published with additional up-to-date content.*   Topics: [respiratory assessment](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/respiratory-assessment) ![Author Photo](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SDS2-648378-edited.jpg?width=70&name=SDS2-648378-edited.jpg) ## AboutSam D. Say Sam D. Say is owner and CEO of SSCOR, Inc., a medical device manufacturer specializing in emergency battery operated portable suction devices for the hospital and pre-hospital settings. Mr. Say has been involved in developing product for healthcare providers for over 35 years. His passions include contributing to the management of the patient airway and providing solutions that save lives in difficult conditions. 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