Old Age Psychiatry

While geriatric or old age psychiatry is a separate specialty in some countries, in Sweden it is considered a subspecialty of general psychiatry. The focus of the old age psychiatry department is to investigate and treat mental illness in the elderly. The age limit is relatively fluid but is often set at 65 years.

The specialty is characterized by a community-oriented and multi-disciplinary approach to assessment, diagnosis and treatment.

Elderly psychiatric patients with complex psychosocial or medical problems, or particularly difficult to assess patients, are offered assistance as inpatients or outpatients. Family support is also offered in various ways.