Geriatric Mental Health Care: A Treatment Guide for Health Professionals

This essential guide is designed for mental health practitioners and primary care providers without advanced training in geriatric psychiatry. Leading physician and educator Gary J. Kennedy sets forth a clear framework for understanding the interplay of medical, psychological, and social factors in frequently encountered problems among older adults. Clear guidelines are delineated for assessing and treating such conditions as depression and anxiety, dementia, psychosis and mania, sleep disturbances, personality and somatoform disorders, substance abuse, and suicidality. Throughout, Kennedy focuses on ways to sustain seniors' independence and overall quality of life while enhancing their adaptive capacities. Psychopharmacological principles are presented with an emphasis on safety, simplicity, and effectiveness, and the beneficial applications of individual, marital, family, and group psychotherapies are also addressed. Other topics covered include sexuality in old age, problems of elder abuse and neglect, collaborating with family members and other caregivers in medical and nonmedical settings, and legal and ethical issues in treatment.

Winner--American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award