Evaluation of the elderly patient with weakness: an evidence based approach.

Because of the altered physiology of the elderly population, either as a result of aging or as a result of other disease processes, many illnesses may present with features that are either atypical or nonspecific in nature. Difficult and nonspecific complaints such as weakness in an elderly patient must be handled in a judicious, cost-effective, comprehensive, and expeditious manner that benefits both the patient and the emergency department. This article addresses the evaluation of the elderly patient who presents to the ED complaining of weakness.