| Introduction to Old Age Psychiatry |
Psychiatry of Old Age
Psychiatry of Old Age is a relatively new speciality and many often
wonder why Psychiatrists are involved in the care of dementia sufferers.
They can understand that older people get depressed and often suffer
from psychiatric illness (functional disorder), but are unaware
of the many challenging issues arising from diseases such as Alzheimer's
as it emerges and progresses (organic disorder). In Ireland the
services of Psychiatry of Old Age have developed albeit very slowly
over the last ten years. Progressively the needs of older persons
in our society are being met but challenging issues relating to
mental health services are still being addressed. |
 |
| As Medical Director of the Highfield Hospital Group for the last
twenty years, I have seen many changes not least in our own in-patient
population. Here in Highfield we have been progressive in this regard
and as far back as 1991 opened Ireland's first Alzheimer Centre
for residential care. Since then we have expanded to compliment
this and now run services dealing not only with all aspects of residential
care but also day and respite care, outpatient assessment, information
help line, information fact sheets, support groups and domiciliary
assessments. At the time of writing we are developing a Memory Clinic.
|
| In 2002 we opened an additional 32-bedded unit for the more physically
demanding issues relating to terminal care for dementia sufferers.
In all we now have bed compliment of 160. |
| In looking back over these years I have been glad to be part of
a developing service and thanks to the dedicated staff who are involved
in all aspects of care I believe we have achieved many goals as
time has gone by. I am optimistic that in the coming years we will
continue to develop to meet the many demanding issues in Psychiatry
of Old Age. |
| Dr. Denis Eustace |
| Medical Director |
