Most physical illness effects people at the extremes of life, particularly in late life. A significant proportion of hospitalized older patients will experience some mental health problems, and medical units lacking specialist old age psychiatric services must rely on adult psychiatric and consultation liaison services for support. These generalists assume the role of old age psychiatrists by default. A key aim of the book is to provide guidelines for the appropriate treatment of psychiatric disorders in older people when medical illness complicates the picture. The book is divided into five sections. The first two sections cover the nature of the problem and initial assessment procedures. Section three focuses on specific disorders, including, amongst others, the most common reasons for referral - dementia, depression and delirium. Section four provides guidelines for treatment including pharmacological therapies, psychotherapeutic interventions and the use of ECT. The book concludes with short section considering the ethical and legal issues involved. This book covers the theoretical and practical knowledge required by psychiatrists in training, those seeking to specialize in consultation liaison or old age psychiatry, geriatricians and general practitioners. It will also be of interest to all other members of the healthcare team responsible for the medical management of older patients.

Entered for the Society of Authors and the Royal Society of Medicine Medical Book Awards 2002
Reviews
Why has it taken so long for a book on this topic to be written? There have been many book on Consultation Liaison Psychiatry, which do not focus on the specific needs of the elderly that can be very different than those of younger people . . . It was wonderful to see such a collection of knowledge brought together in a single book, knowledge that takes clinicians years of clinical experience to gather . . . I would recommend this book for those training in old age psychiatry, geriatricians, clinical nurse specialists and occupational therapists and social workers working with older people in the general hospital. The assessment chapter would be very helpful to all trainee psychiatrists. It would be an invaluable resource for anyone developing a business case for an Old Age Liaison Psychiatry Service to the General Hospital. * International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 19 *
"This book should be read by trainees, especially those involved in CL psychiatry or geriatrics. It would also be of interest to all health workers involved with the elderly in general hospitals . . . As a first of its kind, it is a very impressive book." International Psychogeriatrics
"This welcome book brings together knowledge pertinent to the care of older patients with mental health problems in a general hospital setting . . . The book is clearly and concisely written, from an international perspective, reminding us of the similar challenges faced by clinicians in different countries . . . For a clear exposition of the complexities associated with the assessment of older people in hospital, this book can be firmly recommended." * British Journal of Psychiatry *
"For the nuggets of gold within, I am very glad to have a copy of this book." * Journal of Dementia Care *



Book Information
ISBN 9780192630841
Author Pamela Melding
Format Paperback
Page Count 422
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 657g
Dimensions(mm) 235mm * 157mm * 23mm