I'm a practicing physician Assistant in Atlanta. Part of my patient practice involves care of the elderly in assisted living facilities. This patient population is typically upwards of 80, are independent but need assistance much like the elderly we are talking about here who might sail with one of us.

You are assuming substantial risks by taking on the responsibility for a crew member, or passenger if you like, who has mobility issues. The first is falls. Osteoporosis is present to one degree or another in anyone over 60, some younger than that. If you are over 60, you already know you are not as agile and quick as you once were. That is a normal physiologic occurance with age. You can improve it by certain activities but it will never be as good as it once was when you handled the foredeck with ease. Balance in the elderly is a problem. Hence, a fall aboard can easily produce a fracture or other injuries requiring a medical evacuation. Are you comfortable mobilizing VISAR for that purpose?

Skin is fragile in the elderly and easily torn. Can you suture? Do you have the necessary supplies in a first aid kit aboard to undertake that procedure?

Do you fully understand the nature and treatment requirements of whatever chronic conditions that an elderly person might have that you are taking aboard? If you choose to do so, you should have at least some knowledge of what they are dealing with. For example, are they on blood thinners such as Coumadin or Pradaxa? If they cut themselves can you apply sufficient pressure with bandages in your first aid kit to deal with a bleed. Do they have a risky heart conditions?

What will you do if a chronic heart condition becomes acute and require immediate medical attention?

The bottom line is that the elderly can sail safely if they know their limits and the captain knows them too as well as has some level of basic life support procedures