Research work · 2022
Psychiatry of later life
Practical Psychiatry for Students and Trainees
Abstract
Psychiatry of later life (old age, psychiatry for the elderly) provides mental health care to older people with new-onset psychiatric illness (after age 65) and people with dementia complicated by behavioural and psychological symptoms (BPSD). This chapter discusses mood, anxiety, and psychotic disorders as they present in an older age group. It begins with a review of delirium and dementia. These are challenging syndromes that frequently present to physicians. Basic assessment and management of these disorders should be familiar to all doctors. Psychiatry helps manage significant behavioural disturbance and more complex cases. This chapter therefore provides key information about psychiatry of later life, including: • Presenting features of delirium and dementia. • Assessment and management of delirium and dementia. • Cognitive testing. • Specific features of mood and psychosis in later life. Practical tips include how to diagnose and manage dementia, key features of dementia sub-types.