Geriatric Psychiatry Clinical Care
AGING
The changes of later life can have a profound impact
on individuals and their families. Coping with illness,
changes in lifestyle and loss of loved ones presents
unique challenges. It is important to recognize and
treat mood problems, difficulties with thinking, and
substance problems within the geriatric population.
A specialized Geropsychiatry Program located within
the U-M Geriatrics Center provides a comprehensive,
multidisciplinary approach to the unique needs of
the aging population. Appropriate treatments within
this group can help facilitate a healthy adjustment
to the changes of later life, and significantly improve
quality of life for those patients and their families.
Purpose:
The Geropsychiatry Clinic provides outpatient evaluation
and treatment for elderly (over age 65) patients with
a variety of psychiatric disorders (including mood
disorders, dementia, late-life psychoses, adjustment
disorders and substance abuse), often involving interactions
with coexisting medical conditions. It also provides
consultation to geriatricians and other primary care
physicians who are treating older patients, both at
UMHS and in the community.
Referral Sources:
Referrals come from the Turner
Outpatient Geriatric Service, other clinics in the Medical
Center, Inpatient
Psychiatry, Inpatient Medicine, and community psychiatrists,
internists and geriatricians.
Patient Population:
The mean age of the patients in our clinic is approximately
78 years, and about 20% of patients are age 85 and
older.
Treatment Offered:
Psychopharmacologic, psychotherapeutic and psychosocial
treatment modalities are employed.
Recommended Links:
American
Association for Geriatric Psychiatry
