Outreach with the Elderly

Depression, paranoia, forgetfulness and loneliness are often perceived as the "facts" of old age. Yet clinical experience, recent research and heightened social awareness have shown that the problems of the elderly are often quite treatable. What is needed is a clear understanding of their unique problems and how to approach them. In this book, the author shows how one team of therapists provided a successful and effective community mental health programme for the elderly. He explores the therapist's role in assessment, placement and referral and as a nursing home consultant, the needs of the demented and the non-demented elderly, and presents evidence for positive effects of mental health treatment among the elderly, and the need for community education. He also takes the reader through the specific components of team services: the home visit assessment, psychotherapy and the nature of the outreach effort.