Geriatric psychology and the injured elderly

Abstract

Psychological disorders impact the care of the elderly trauma patient. Dementia is a cognitive disorder with many subtypes. Screening tests can help diagnose the impairment and treatments focus on symptoms. Delirium is all too common in the hospitalized elderly. Diagnostic tools exist but identification and modification of risk factors to prevent delirium are essential. Depression and substance abuse not only affect outcomes in the injured elderly but can contribute to causing trauma.