Geriatric Psychiatry Basics

Doctors who know something about working with the elderly are in greater demand than ever before. This is also true in psychiatry, where the number of geriatric psychiatry specialists falls far short of the need. Because of this unbalance, general psychiatrists—many of whom have little or no training or experience in dealing with older adults and their specific issues—are now being called upon to offer care to this population. In this book, Sakauye covers issues fundamental to the field of geriatric psychiatry that are not addressed well in general adult training: Late-life development Biology of aging Common medical illnesses associated with aging Neurobiology of degenerative disorders Geriatric psychopharmacology Psychotherapeutic modifications for special populations, such as patients with cognitive impairment Multidisciplinary care and family involvement Specific studies of older adults as a special population (differences) While specialists will find it a useful resource for brushing up on fundamentals, Geriatric Psychiatry Basics is the ideal handbook for non-specialists who need a quick reference or primer on the issues central to geriatric care. In it, Sakauye, a geriatric psychiatrist who worked closely with the elderly victims of Hurricane Katrina, explores the most commonly encountered issues and problems—from memory impairment, Alzheimer’s, delirium, dementia, and cognitive disorders, to depression, psychosis, anxiety, substance abuse, somatoform, and sleep disorders. Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment options, including pharmacotherapy, are addressed for each presenting problem, and “clinical pearls”—nuggets of critical information, common pitfalls, differentiation protocols between normal and abnormal behavior, etc.—are clearly addressed. The use of psychotherapeutic interventions for older adults as well as psychiatric care in nursing homes and other inpatient facilities is also explained, making this an immensely practical and user-friendly handbook for all mental health professionals on how to deliver proper geriatric mental health services.

The number of people over the age of 65 years in the United States is growing steadily. Currently, they constitute thirteen percent of the population of the United States. This number will double over the next thirty years. Psychiatric disorders are not uncommon in older adults. Dementia, depression, anxiety, psychotic disorders and substance abuse disorders are often encountered in this population. Substantial increase in the number of older adults with mental health issues and a sluggish economic climate has resulted in our healthcare system being overburdened. Adding to this critical situation is the fact that the growth in the number of trained clinicians caring for older adults with psychiatric disorders has not kept pace with the healthcare needs of this population. Available evidence indicates that although there has been an increase in the research database on psychiatric disorders in older adults, the translation of this latest research data into clinical practice occurs less frequently than desired.Keeping these issues in mind, the authors have written a concise textbook on geriatric psychiatry which encompasses the latest information on psychiatric disorders in late-life. It is written by experienced professionals who specialise in the care of older adults with psychiatric disorders. This book has the latest data in geriatric psychiatry interpreted and translated in an easy to read manner. There is also a practice test at the end of this book for clinicians taking certification examinations in geriatric psychiatry. This book is a must have for anyone who cares for older adults with mental illness, be it a caregiver, a student, a trainee, a novice clinician or a seasoned academic.

"Essentials of Geriatric Psychiatry" is organized into sections devoted to the basic science underlying geriatric psychiatry and to the evaluation, presentation, and treatment of psychiatric disorders occurring in later life. Each chapter closes with a Key Points summary to reinforce the core issues addressed within the text.

Part of the Pittsburgh Pocket Psychiatry series, this volume comprehensively and definitively addresses geriatric psychiatry, focusing on depression, dementia, anxiety as well as managing the caregivers. Additional chapters cover psychotherapy, legal issues, alcohol and drug use, and chronic pain management. Designed to be a highly practical, clinical guide for practitioners, each chapter is clearly written by one or more faculty members from Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, many of whom are recognized experts in their field. Self-assessment questions help the student learn the material.

Provides essential knowledge and skills for effective mental health practice with older adults.

This textbook presents real-world cases and discussions that introduce the various mental health syndromes found in the aging population before delving into the core concepts covered by geriatric psychiatry curricula. The text follows each case study with the vital information necessary for physicians in training, including key features of each disorder and its presentation, practical guidelines for diagnosis and treatment, clinical pearls, and other devices that are essential to students of geriatric psychiatry. With the latest DSM-5 guidelines and with rich learning tools that include key points, review questions, tables, and illustrations, this text is the only resource that is specifically designed to train both American and Canadian candidates for specialty and subspecialty certification or recertification in geriatric psychiatry. It will also appeal to audiences worldwide as a state-of-the-art resource for credentialing and/or practice guidance. The text meets the needs of the future head on with its straightforward coverage of the most frequently encountered challenges, including neuropsychiatric syndromes, psychopharmacology, eldercare and the law, substance misuse, mental health following a physical condition, medical psychiatry, and palliative care. Written by experts in the field, Geriatric Psychiatry: A Case-Based Textbook is the ultimate resource for graduate and undergraduate medical students and certificate candidates providing mental health care for aging adults, including psychiatrists, psychologists, geriatricians, primary care and family practice doctors, neurologists, social workers, nurses, and others.

"This new edition retains the multidisciplinary and developmental perspectives of its predecessors, drawing on the knowledge not only of psychiatrists but also of relevant biomedical and behavioral experts in order to present the most comprehensive approach to patient care. It has been extensively updated to reflect the latest scientific advances and clinical developments in the field. Not only will readers find the most up-to-date information on phenomenology, diagnosis, and assessment of late-life mental disorders, they will also access the latest research on psychotherapeutic, psychopharmacological, and other somatic treatments. A dedicated chapter delves into the role of technology-including digital phenotyping, wearables, digital and web-based neurocognitive testing, and more-in aiding the geriatric mental health workforce and improving both access to care and ongoing support. Throughout the book, several sections examine the impact of COVID-19, and its attendant social isolation, on older adult mental health and the evolution of treatment approaches, revealing insights learned about telepsychiatry and care in nursing homes during the pandemic. Chapters on the legal and ethical factors in the psychiatric care of older adults close out the book, the most exhaustive on the topic. Extensively researched and with key points for ease of reference, this edition will equip both the scholar and the clinician with the current state of scientific understanding as well as the practical skills and knowledge base required for dealing with mental disorders in late life"--

The renowned Principles and Practice of Geriatric Psychiatry, now in its third edition, addresses the social and biological concepts of geriatric mental health from an international perspective. Featuring contributions by distinguished authors from around the world, the book offers a distinctive angle on issues in this continually developing discipline. Principles and Practice of Geriatric Psychiatry provides a comprehensive review of: geriatric psychiatry spanning both psychiatric and non-psychiatric disorders scientific advances in service development specific clinical dilemmas New chapters on: genetics of aging somatoform disorders epidemiology of substance abuse somatoform disorders care of the dying patient Continuing the practice of earlier editions, the major sections of the book address aging, diagnosis and assessment and clinical conditions, incorporating an engaging discussion on substance abuse and schizophrenic disorders. Shorter sections include the presentation of mental illness in elderly people from different cultures—one of the most popular sections in previous editions. Learning and behavioural studies, as well as models of geriatric psychiatry practice, are covered extensively. This book provides a detailed overview of the entire range of mental illness in old age, presented within an accessible format. Principles and Practice of Geriatric Psychiatry is an essential read for psychiatrists, geriatricians, neurologists and psychologists. It is of particular use for instructors of general psychiatry programs and their residents.