Carers' views on services for the elderly mentally ill

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Psychiatry
• Health Services Research
• Mental Health Policy

Background:

• Growing elderly population in Ireland necessitates tailored mental health services.
• Health policy emphasizes consumer and carer involvement in care.
• Identifying service gaps is crucial for future planning for the elderly mentally ill.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate carer satisfaction with existing services for the elderly mentally ill in Limerick.
• To identify unmet needs and desired services from the perspective of carers.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire survey was administered to carers of patients using the Psychiatry of Old Age service.
• Data collected included satisfaction levels with current provisions and perceived service needs.
• Response rate was 51%, with varying engagement on specific items.

Main Results:

• Both formal and informal services for the elderly are underutilized.
• A significant need for long-term care placements was identified.
• Carers expressed a strong desire for increased information and emotional support.

Conclusions:

• Carer feedback provides valuable insights into service strengths and weaknesses.
• Findings will inform future service development for the elderly mentally ill.
• Addressing carer-identified needs can enhance the quality of care for older adults with mental illness.