Psychiatric consultation for the geriatric population in the general hospital

The first part of this paper is based on a study by the author in 1975--1976. The conclusions were that liaison psychiatry with geriatric patients differs from that with other age groups in the following ways: (1) referrals occur primarily when behavior becomes disturbing; (2) organic causes are often overrated but psychological and social causes and functional disorders are underestimated; (3) psychopharmaceutical agents and vasodilators are overused, while psychotherapy and other forms of treatment are underutilized. Attitudes towards consultations among these patients, their families and consultees do not differ from those of younger groups. Liaison psychiatry with a situation-oriented approach is well suited to the needs of all concerned. Review of the psychosomatic parameters of aging is summarized as a basis of the proposed psychosomatic differential model for management.