The function of psychiatric hospitals in the treatment of dementia

Abstract

In Japan, there are 531 special wards for the treatment of dementia in which patients with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia are treated. In these wards, 85% of the patients stay for more than 91days, and 45% of them are judged as ready to discharge. The function of the wards declines as a result of the long-stay patients. It is necessary to create two types of wards: one for acute treatment of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia within 90days and another for patients requiring longer-term treatment (i.e. more than 91days) for chronic behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, deterioration of activity of daily living and somatic complications © 2012 The Author. Psychogeriatrics © 2012 Japanese Psychogeriatric Society.