Why choose a Psychiatrist specialising in Older Adults?

Adults looking for a mental health specialist don't often consider an age appropriate service. Its important to consider that Psychiatrists sub-specialise for a reason, dedicating years of training in the pursuit of age specific expertise. After all, you wouldn't ask a Paediatrician to assess a fifty year old patient!

It is crucial that prospective patients see the right specialist with the right experience. Please speak to my secretary Nicky Eastwell to enquire if an Older Adult Psychiatrist is appropriate for you.

What is Psychiatry for Older Adults?

Did you know:

Psychiatry of the elderly is a subspecialty of Psychiatry and involves the delivery of mental health care to older adults. The specialty recognises that mental health problems in old age
are common.

The specialty understands the unique differences between mental health presentations of working age adults and older adults; and therefore the requirement for specialists for this specific population group. There are significant differences in mental health problems in older adults compared to the younger population, meaning there is a great need for specialised skills to manage these problems effectively.

Old age psychiatrists are medical doctors who provide specialised and holistic assessment,
treatment and continuing care for older adults (or those with similar needs) who suffer from a range of mental health problems including depression, psychosis and dementia.

Most old age psychiatrists work in a ‘needs-led’ way rather than age, based on the concept of
frailty. This concept recognises the needs of ageing people with mental health and significant
physical health co-morbidities, plus cognitive issues and dementia. Old age psychiatrists also work with people who have psychological problems as a result of the ageing process.

Working with patients’ families and carers is an important and fundamental aspect of the work.
Person-centred, individualised care, promoting independence and prioritising choice are at the
very heart of old age psychiatry.

Depression has a higher prevalence of 15-20% in the elderly compared to an overall prevalence of 5-8% in the general population.

There are higher rates of completed suicide in the elderly compared younger counterparts.

Incidence of new onset psychosis in the elderly are just as high as younger patients.

Older people with mental illnesses (particularly depression) may take longer to respond to treatment than their younger counterparts.

Psychiatric illnesses in late life have a high rate of relapse requiring close follow up.

Older people are particularly vulnerable to side effects of psychotropic drugs and their interaction with physical health drugs. Consideration must also be given to age-related changes in drug handling and metabolism.

Coexistent physical problems in older people with mental illness can be strong aetiological factors and must be considered alongside the mental illness.