Abstract
Objective: To describe nursing home referrals to a multidisciplinary psychogeriatric outreach service.
Methods: Retrospective case note audit of all nursing home referrals to a psychogeriatric outreach service in Sydney during 1996.
Results: Of 106 referrals (mean age 76.9 years) from 22 nursing homes, 101 (95%) were assessed in the home. Behavioural problems were identified in 87 referrals (82%), usually being associated with chronic organic brain syndromes including dementia (n = 75, 86%). Aggressive behaviours (45%), agitation (32%), uncooperativeness (17%) and vocally disruptive behaviour (16%) were the most frequently identified problems. Depression was diagnosed in 33 referrals (31%), often comorbid with dementia (n = 16). Multiple diagnoses were present in 58 (55%) referrals. The most frequent treatment recommendations related to the use of nursing interventions (73%), psychotropic medication (70%), behavioural programs (29%) and family involvement (29%). Admission to the acute psychogeriatric ward occurred in 18 cases (17%).
Conclusion: Psychogeriatric services should provide adequately staffed outreach teams to nursing homes.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 184-186 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Australasian Journal on Ageing |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1998 |
| Externally published | Yes |