[Semiology and clinical aspects of gerontopsychiatric dementia]

The need for a multidisciplinary study of the psychiatrical diseases of the elderly is postulated. That is: physical, psychiatrical, neuropsychological, psychological and social. The use of an adequate semiological study, including neuropsychological and neurological aspects not only leads to the diagnosis of dementia but also allows the physician to determine which nervous and mental functions are not disintegrated and which may be of use in establishing human relations and autonomous independent activity in the elderly patient. Ten patients over 60 years of age were chosen from three different institutions. Each one received a complete standardized gerontopsychiatrical clinical study. All activities, including creative ones were put under observation in order to evaluate just how much elderly patients use the best of their possibilities. Even in the most adequate institutions and with patients who were not deeply incapacitated physically and mentally it was found that their activities and interpersonal relationship were limitated and reduced. The conclusion is that these findings may be explained by the physical diseases, the frequent psychotic and depressive symptoms plus the isolation of the institution within the community.