What items should you look for in your initial assessment that may indicate your victim is elderly?

The identification of items such as hearing aids, glasses, walkers, and wheelchairs during an initial assessment provides specific physical indicators that can help ascertain the elderly status of a victim. These items are commonly associated with the elderly population due to age-related health issues and mobility challenges. For instance, hearing aids signify possible hearing loss, glasses indicate vision problems, and assistive devices like walkers and wheelchairs suggest a need for physical support due to decreased mobility.

While wrinkles and gray hair can suggest that a person is older, they are not definitive indicators of elderly status as these features can vary significantly among individuals across different ages. Complaints about feeling cold may be more related to personal comfort or health issues rather than age alone. Similarly, while excessively slow movements can be associated with aging or certain health conditions, they may not specifically indicate that someone is elderly, as various factors can affect a person's mobility regardless of age.

Therefore, focusing on tangible aids and assistive devices during an assessment is a practical and direct approach to identifying elderly individuals, aligning with a proactive strategy in victim support and care.