[Geriatric psychiatry--a specialty within psychiatry]

The aim of this article is to describe the prevalence of mental disorders in the elderly and how the psychiatric services for these patients ought to be organized in Norway. Geriatric psychiatry is a special branch of psychiatry. Its areas of concern are the assessment and treatment of mental disorders which frequently occur in the elderly. The most prevalent psychiatric disorders are depression and dementia. Functional psychosis and anxiety disorders are less prevalent, but nevertheless disorders causing great concern. Psychiatric morbidity frequently coexists with physical illness. An elderly patient suffering from a mental disorder often has a combination of psychological, social and physical needs. The resources allocated to psychiatric services for old people are scarce. Efforts should be made to establish a special unit for geriatric psychiatry in every county in Norway. Each unit should serve approximately 150-200,000 inhabitants, and should consist of both an in-patients' and an out-patients' clinic. It is recommended that there should be 1 to 1.5 beds per 1000 elderly aged 65 years and over.