Psychiatric care of the older adult: an overview for primary care

Med Clin North Am. 2014 Sep;98(5):1145-68. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2014.06.010. Epub 2014 Jul 22.

Abstract

As the population ages, primary care providers will be frequently called on to manage psychiatric disorders suffered by their older patients. This overview of delirium, dementia, depression, and alcohol and substance misuse highlights the common presentations and suggests initial approaches to treatment. The challenges facing caregivers are also discussed.

Keywords: Alcohol misuse; Caregivers; Delirium; Dementia; Depression; Geriatric patients; Primary care; Substance abuse.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Behavior
  • Caregivers / psychology
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / diagnosis
  • Comorbidity
  • Delirium / diagnosis*
  • Delirium / therapy
  • Dementia / diagnosis*
  • Dementia / therapy
  • Depression / diagnosis*
  • Depression / therapy
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Geriatric Assessment*
  • Humans
  • Medical History Taking
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Precipitating Factors
  • Primary Health Care*
  • Psychotherapy
  • Risk Factors
  • Substance-Related Disorders / diagnosis
  • Suicide

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists