The human body continues to change in function as it ages. So it isn't a surprise that treatment approaches that might work well for a young adult may not work as well for someone in their 70s or 80s.
Indeed, if psychiatric subspecialists are available, patients usually have the option to see a child psychiatrist, an adult psychiatrist, or a geriatric psychiatrist. However, these are broad categories that may also sub-divide by care needs.
Geriatric psychiatry is the psychiatric subspecialty that focuses on diagnoses associated with older ages. These diagnoses include dementia, neuropsychiatric sequelae of stroke, and late stage presentations of more common psychiatric illness like mood disorders or psychotic disorders.
After completing their adult psychiatry residency, a geriatric psychiatrist commits to an additional year to study the clinical science of aging and also to learn more about how psychiatric treatment approaches can be most safely used with older patients.
In addition to psychiatric diagnoses, geriatric psychiatrists are also familiar with general medical conditions that are more likely in older populations, and how those diagnoses may affect their mental health needs.
Since caregiving is also a frequent need as a person ages, geriatric psychiatrists also learn more about the care systems available to patients and the regulations regarding those treatment settings. Geriatric psychiatrists will also work closely with patients and their families to help with care planning as the patient ages.
Geriatric psychiatry subspecialty certification is provided via the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN).
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