[Risk factors and psychosocial factors in psychiatric diseases of old age]

For the specific diseases of old age, of which the basic mechanism is not yet fully understood and not directly amendable by treatment, somatic risk factors and its recompensation, psychosomatic factors (reduction of mobility and other impairments), but especially psycho-social factors, especially social isolation, do play a prominent role. The primary prevention is mainly directed to the avoidance to toxic factors and the minimization of effects of organ-diseases. The secondary prevention has the goal to maintain a physical and intellectual activity level and to detect organ and metabolic derangements at an early state. The tertiary prevention has to avoid chronicity with a prophylaxis against institutionalization and hospitalization.