Geriatric Mental Health Care: A Treatment Guide For Health Professionals

Geriatric Mental Health Care: A Treatment Guide for Health Professionals

This guide is designed for mental health practitioners and primary care providers without advanced training in geriatric psychiatry. Gary J. Kennedy sets forth a clear framework for understanding the interplay of medical, psychological and social factors in frequently encountered problems among older adults. Clear guidelines are delineated for assessing and treating such conditions as depression and anxiety, dementia, psychosis and mania, sleep disturbances, personality and somatoform disorders, substance abuse, and suicidality. Throughout, Kennedy focuses on ways to sustain older people's independence and overall quality of life while enhancing their adaptive capacities.