Service provision for elderly people with long-term functional illness

Abstract

A postal survey of old age psychiatrists was carried out to examine the pattern of services currently available for elderly people with chronic functional mental disorder, and to identify innovative models of care for this group. The opinion of respondents was sought regarding problems with service provision and additional resources that would be desirable. The majority of respondents felt that the needs of individual patients should determine whether they should be cared for by old age, general or rehabilitation services. Seventy-three per cent of respondents felt that more specialist residential care outside hospital was needed to improve the care of this group.