Psychogeriatric care: problems and challenges

From the aspect of homes for the aged, understanding the needs of the elderly mentally frail is the in initial step to providing more suitable conditions. Many of the traditional features of these long-term care facilities need to be questioned and challenged. Care does not stop at the physical environment, indeed it goes even beyond establishing excellent relationships with the families involved and a caring, well-trained staff. Stress is needed on emphasizing the resident's remaining capacities and skills, not on behavioural problems.