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Jorm, A. F.; Henderson, A. S.; Kay, D. W. K.; Jacomb, P. A.
doi: 10.1002/gps.930060103pmid: N/A
In a community sample of 274 persons aged 70 + years in 1982‐83, measures of depression, dementia and social integration made at that time were examined in relation to mortality in the following five years. The probability of death was increased in those diagnosed as having a dementia or a depressive disorder. The association between depression and mortality suggests that there may in such cases be a physical illness accompanied by a drop in mood. Alternatively, the symptoms of depression could also be symptoms of serious medical illness. Other symptoms, typical only of depression, did not predict mortality. There was no association between mortality and social integration, a finding which is contrary to previous observations.
Foster, Jeffrey R.; Cataldo, Janine K.; Boksay, Istvan J. E.
doi: 10.1002/gps.930060104pmid: N/A
The prevalence rate of depression in medical long‐term care facilities is high but varies over a large range. One source of variation may be differences in the underlying incidence rates. A cohort of 104 new admissions was followed for one year and showed and incidence rate of approximately 14%. This rate is comparable to the only other published study and suggests that incidence rates may be more uniform than expected from the range of prevalence reports.
Wimo, Anders; Wallin, Jan Olov; Lundgren, Kjerstin; Rönnbäck, Eva; Asplund, Kenneth; Mattsson, Bengt; Krakau, Ingvar
doi: 10.1002/gps.930060105pmid: N/A
The increasing number of patients with dementia requires new forms of care management. Group living (GL) is an alternative, and two units were established in Sundsvall, Sweden, in 1984. The patients in GL used institutional care to a significantly lower extent (nursing homes, emergency hospital care, psychiatric care) after admission to GL (p < 0.001). The costs for the Municipality and the County Council changed from £49 to £42/day (p=0.21) and patient during the first six‐month period in GL compared to the six‐month period prior to GL. If the costs for GL are compared to the costs for nursing home care (£68/day), GL is significantly cheaper (p < 0.05).
Coles, R. J.; Von Abendorff, R.; Herzberg, J. L.
doi: 10.1002/gps.930060106pmid: N/A
The introduction of a multidisciplinary mental health team for the elderly, providing comprehensive assessment and support for elderly people with mental health problems in an area of inner London, has represented a major change in the way in which psychogeriatric referrals are dealt with locally. The new service replaced a traditional hospital‐based system with a consultant making domiciliary visits. Characteristics of 109 referrals to the consultantbased service over six months are compared to 193 referrals over a similar period following the introduction of the team. Demographic patterns in both groups were similar, as were diagnoses made, with the exception of acute organic confusional states of which a slightly larger proportion were seen under the old service. More detailed assessment of cases and more input both to cases and their carers were possible with a community team. The implications of a community team based service for psychogeriatrics are discussed.
O'Keane, V.; Dinan, Timothy G.
doi: 10.1002/gps.930060107pmid: N/A
Seventy‐eight patients between the ages of 65 and 91 years with a diagnosis of semile dementia of the Alzheimer type were included in this study. They were assessed for the presence of abnormal movements using the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale and their cognitive functioning was assessed using the Mini Mental Test. Seventy‐nine per cent of the patients had evidence of orofacial dyskinesia. Those patients with abnormal movements had greater degrees of cognitive impairment than those without. Orofacial movements were more common than similar movements of the extremities or trunk. Individuals with abnormal movements also tended to have higher levels of paranoid ideation.
doi: 10.1002/gps.930060108pmid: N/A
The case of an elderly woman who committed suicide is presented. Clinical and sociological concepts and empirical findings are discussed in the context of this case. Depression, substance abuse, cognitive dysfunction, exacerbation of preexisting personality disturbance, and medical illness and disability appear to contribute to geriatric suicide in older people. Relocation to a nursing home, while often necessary, has significant emotional value and may function as a precipitant to suicidal behaviour.
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