Abstract

A postal survey of old age psychiatrists was carried out to examine the pattern of services currently available for elderly people with chronic functional mental disorder, and to identify innovative models of care for this group. The opinion of respondents was sought regarding problems with service provision and additional resources that would be desirable. The majority of respondents felt that the needs of individual patients should determine whether they should be cared for by old age, general or rehabilitation services. Seventy-three per cent of respondents felt that more specialist residential care outside hospital was needed to improve the care of this group.

Highlights

  • A postal survey of old age psychiatrists was carried out to examine the pattern of services currently available for elderly people with chronic functional mental disorder, and to identify innovative models of care for this group

  • Recent debate has highlighted the provision of continuing care for older adults with mental illness as an area of growing concern

  • One respondent said that such patients were never referred to the elderly service. psyTcohiattrryiststo weestaasbkliesdh, "Wtheho svhieowuld ofbe orledspoange sible for this group?"; 18.6% (27) felt that old age psychiatrists should always be responsible and only 1.4% (2) felt general psychiatrists should be responsible for elderly people with chronic functional illness

Read more

Summary

ORIGINAL PAPERS

A postal survey of old age psychiatrists was carried out to examine the pattern of services currently available for elderly people with chronic functional mental disorder, and to identify innovative models of care for this group. Individual psychiatric services have evolved their own patterns of care provision for this group, based on local factors, such as the presence or absence of long-stay hospitals. Such patients may be under the care of services for the etaldtieornly, sgeernveicreasl. In the absence of adequate provision and planning, this vulnerable group may find themselves inappropriately placed; for example, on an acute ward or in a continuing care setting primarily caring for dementia sufferers They may remain in the community inadequately supported. The aim of the postal survey described here was to study different patterns of care, to explore some of the reasons for these differences, and to identify innovative models of care

The study
Findings
Present facilities
Referral to elderly services from general psychiatric services
Local factors influencing service
Perceptions of current services and additional resources needed
Innovative models of care
Edited by Elspeth Guthrie and Francis Creed
Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.