Geriatric Mental Health Care

Abstract

This paper discusses the major role that the primary care physician has in providing mental health care to older adults. Depression and other mental illnesses are quite common among the elderly, and may have a particularly ominious prognosis in persons age 65 years and older. Factors which may prevent physicians from providing adequate diagnoses and treatment of the mental health concerns of their older patients are discussed. Adequate physician education and the use of proper referrals to other mental health professionals are recommended. © 1988 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.