Communication Disability and the Psychiatry of Old Age

This book discusses management of communication disorders in the psychiatry of old age. The contribution of the speech and language therapist is the focus of the book, but this is described within the context of the multidisciplinary team. Language change and language assessment in psychiatric disorders associated with old age, especially dementias, are descbribed in detail. The form of service delivery offered is fundamental to the speech and language therapy intervention that can be offered to this complex and often neglected client group. A management perspective and service delivery in the USA and in the UK are described. Working with carers, service delivery in the community, an innovative scheme involving residential homes, a review of how community care initiatives have affected speech and language therapy services and an analysis of service audit are all included.

As well as giving a description of speech and language therapy intervention with the elderly who have psychiatric disorders, the book also highlights the issues and challenges facing clinicians who work within the reformed health service. It should be of considerable interest to speech and language therapists, other health care professionals and students who work with older mentally ill people. Purchasers and managers who are commissioning and providing services for the older population with psychiatric disorders should also find the book useful.