Guide to the Psychiatry of Old Age

With rapid ageing of the world's population, psychiatry of old age has become a crucial discipline. This succinct guide to the scope and practice of the psychiatry of old age provides an up-to-date summary of existing knowledge, best practice and future challenges for the specialty, from a global perspective. From definitions and demography to epidemiology, aetiology, and principles of assessment, diagnosis and management, each chapter is sharp, clear and practical, enhanced by tables and diagrams for quick assimilation and reference on the ward or in the clinic. As well as the main psychiatric conditions encountered in old age, coverage also includes legal and ethical issues, and the neglected topic of alcohol and drug abuse in the elderly. Written by leading clinicians, teachers and researchers and offering a much-needed international focus, this compact guide is essential reading for practising psychiatrists and geriatricians, as well as trainees, nurses and medical students.

Table of Contents:
Foreword; Preface; 1. What is the psychiatry of old age and why do we need it?; 2. Assessing the elderly psychiatric patient; 3. Differential diagnosis - the 3 Ds; 4. The dementias; 5. Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia; 6. Delirium; 7. Mood disorders in late life; 8. Schizophrenia and related disorders in late life; 9. Neurotic and personality disorders; 10. Substance abuse and iatrogenesis in late life; 11. Services for older patients with psychiatric disorders; 12. The future of the psychiatry of old age; Index.

About the Author :
Professor David Ames (BA, MD, FRCPsych, FRANZCP) graduated MB BS from the University of Melbourne in 1978 and trained in psychiatry at the Royal Melbourne (Australia) and Royal Free (London, UK) Hospitals (1982–7). His doctoral thesis was on the topic of depression in aged care homes. He was University of Melbourne Senior Lecturer (1989–1994), Associate Professor (1995–2005) and Professor of Psychiatry of Old Age (2005–2007), before taking up the post of Professor of Ageing and Health and Director of the National Ageing Research Institute in September 2007. He has extensive clinical experience in old age psychiatry and was director of the St Vincent's Health Aged Psychiatry Service from 2005 to 2008. David Ames has also edited the peer-reviewed Cambridge University Press journal International Psychogeriatrics (2003–2011). He has published over 145 peer-reviewed papers in academic journals and has co-edited or written 17 books. His main research interests are the early detection and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and the care of the depressed elderly. Edmond Chiu is Professorial Fellow, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. James Lindesay is Professor of Psychiatry for the Elderly, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK. Kenneth I. Shulman is Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Review :
'Guide to the Psychiatry of Old Age leaves you hungry to read and learn more rather than putting you off. In addition, it instils an enthusiasm and optimism for the practise of old age psychiatry, something which is often missing from the larger more detailed texts. Indeed the 'clinical pearl' paragraphs included in the assessment chapter exemplify this in giving tips that one might only garner practically when in the company of a highly experienced and clinically proficient senior. Thus, in conclusion, I can thoroughly recommend this book to trainees, students or even experienced professionals with an interest in psychiatry of old age.' International Psychogeriatrics '… I can thoroughly recommend this book to trainees, students or even experienced professionals with an interest in the psychiatry of old age.' Journal of Psychogeriatrics 'This book should certainly be at the top of the recommended reading list for early-years trainees who are new to old age psychiatry, medical students who want to 'dig a bit deeper' than the basics and GPs and others who simply want to know a little bit more about the background and practice in old age psychiatry. Even experienced old hands will learn something new, for me this was the 'white roots sign'. I can strongly recommend buying a copy, this really is a book everyone should have on their shelf.' Psychological Medicine 'Students and trainees will welcome the liberal use of short lists of diagnostic criteria, the causes of conditions, treatments and the like. Chapters are nicely divided into brief sections with clear headings that make it easy to dip in and out of the book as clinical need dictates … I strongly recommend this book to aged care service providers, aged psychiatry teams and medical and nursing schools.' Australasian Journal on Ageing 'This is an excellent, concise book which does exactly what it says on the cover. There is ample coverage of this important topic for any consultant or trainee geriatrician to help with their day-to-day clinical practice … Geriatricians cannot escape from older peoples' mental health problems and so this should be a must on their shelves to help keep them alert to the needs of their patients.' Age and Ageing