Challenges for old age psychiatry

Abstract

The increase of life expectancy worldwide leads to a demographic challenge. The aim to reach old age in good mental and physical health comes closer, when prevention throughout the life course takes place and the health-care structures provide integrative and person-centred care and cure. According to the available evidence, education, physical activity, social integration, low or adequately treated cardiovascular risk factors and more reduce the risk for, e.g. dementia or depression, the most frequent mental disorders in late life. The article focuses on four relevant areas: the role of psychiatry in dementia care, the problems of suicide and assisted suicide (prevention), the situation in nursing homes and hospitals and finally, the development of service structures and reflects recent developments in research and policy.