Geriatric Psychiatry
Older adults have special physical, emotional, and social needs. The geriatric psychiatrist uses knowledge of biological, psychological, and social factors in working with patients. Older adults with a variety of concerns see a geriatric psychiatrist including: difficulty coping with change; stress; death and bereavement; depression; memory problems; family history of dementia; anxiety; agitation; or poor sleep. Sometimes emotional problems occur for the first time in older adults who suffer with chronic pain, Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, or other medical disorders.
After arriving at a diagnosis, the geriatric psychiatrist designs a treatment plan that considers all the components and discusses these recommendations with the patient and upon seeking their permission will coordinate care with other treating physicians when necessary. Because the geriatric psychiatrist also understands the family’s role in caring for the patient, the doctor educates the family about the nature of the illness and how they can best cope and may include referral to other appropriate services. This is done in conjunction with a social worker who participates in this clinic.
Helpful Links for Geriatric Psychiatry Patients: