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[Geriatric psychiatry--a specialty within psychiatry]
K Engedal1, A L Bergem, M Holm
1Psykogeriatrisk seksjon, Ullevål sykehus, Oslo.
Summary
This article discusses the prevalence of mental disorders in the elderly and recommends organizing geriatric psychiatric services in Norway. It highlights the need for specialized units and adequate bed allocation for the aging population.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric psychiatry focuses on the assessment and treatment of mental health conditions in older adults.
Context:
- Mental disorders are prevalent in the elderly, often coexisting with physical illnesses and presenting complex psychological, social, and physical needs.
- Current psychiatric services for the elderly in Norway face resource scarcity.
Purpose:
- To describe the prevalence of mental disorders among the elderly population.
- To outline the optimal organization of psychiatric services for geriatric patients in Norway.
Summary:
- Depression and dementia are the most common psychiatric disorders in the elderly, followed by functional psychosis and anxiety disorders.
- The article advocates for the establishment of specialized geriatric psychiatry units in each Norwegian county, serving 150,000-200,000 inhabitants.
- Recommendations include 1 to 1.5 beds per 1000 individuals aged 65 and over for inpatient care.
Impact:
- Enhancing psychiatric care accessibility and quality for the aging population in Norway.
- Addressing the specific and often complex needs of elderly individuals with mental health conditions.