Seminars in Old Age Psychiatry

Abstract

Brice Pitt, a pioneer of old age psychiatry in the United Kingdom, edited the first edition of this book. The authors whom remain grateful for Brice's influence on their practice, are delighted to oversee a new edition 21 years later. Over those years old age psychiatry has come of age and blossomed around the world. Many of the early innovations such as home visits, involving families and promoting autonomy are now taken for granted. There is a broader reach across cultural groups. A concise and up-to-date text on the mental health of older people, this second edition is fully updated to reflect changes in technology, competency-based training, guidelines, law and treatments. Each chapter sits alone as an informative, readable and helpful resource for a range of health care professionals. Together the chapters form an essential text that contributes to the rising standards in old age psychiatry. With practical guidelines on clinical management, this edition also includes new sections on topics such as palliative care and migrant health, all written by a global authorship, considering international perspectives. Targeted at qualified and trainee consultant psychiatrists, the book is also useful to other doctors, medical students and healthcare professionals who work with older people. It provides an international perspective on the field, bringing together input from a global team of authors. Some chapters contain vignettes and case studies regarding named patients. These patients are based upon the authors' combined experiences; have been adapted and altered to highlight the content of the book; and do not pertain to any specific individual. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: chapter)