Overview

This guide is designed for mental health practitioners and primary care providers without advanced training in geriatric psychiatry. Gary J. Kennedy sets forth a clear framework for understanding the interplay of medical, psychological and social factors in frequently encountered problems among older adults. Clear guidelines are delineated for assessing and treating such conditions as depression and anxiety, dementia, psychosis and mania, sleep disturbances, personality and somatoform disorders, substance abuse, and suicidality. Throughout, Kennedy focuses on ways to sustain older people's independence and overall quality of life while enhancing their adaptive capacities.

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9781572307452

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Reviews

In a clearly written, practical guidebook for practitioners, Dr. Kennedy combines a wealth of published information with his own considerable clinical experience in treating older individuals...I strongly recommend this volume for the practicing psychiatrist who is working with older patients; the information presented will be most helpful. --The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry ...this is a useful reference for the student and generalist concerned with the life problems and mental health of elders. For a single author to be able to encompass this body of knowledge is remarkable, and Kennedy does it well. --American Journal of Psychotherapy ...a timely, thorough and well-written guide for primary care and mental health professionals who do any work with older adults. It can also be used by students and trainees across disciplines as a reference text for mental health issues, including evaluation and treatment of disorders, among persons. The breadth of topics covered in this book makes it a unique contribution to the field. Throughout the text, close attention is paid to the delicate interaction between biological, psychological, and social variables that may contribute to morbidity in elderly persons...It is noteworthy that Dr. Kennedy gives special consideration to the complexities of providing consultation in nursing homes, on home visits, and to other health care agencies. Specific guidance on navigating this unchartered territory is both practical and valuable...Geriatric Mental Health Care is a timely endeavor written by one of the leading educators in geriatric psychiatry to guide and instruct health care professionals at every level in working with the elderly...The book is highly recommended to any clinician or caretaker seeking comprehensive and easily accessible information about geriatric mental health care. --Psychiatric Services Gary Kennedy, one of our leading geriatric psychiatrists, brings his thoughtful scholarship and breadth of clinical experience to this endeavor. At once focused and comprehensive, chapters provide concise overviews of the main areas of geriatric psychiatry--such as late-life depression--as well as useful reference material. Perhaps the greatest strengths of the book, however, lie in its coverage of lesser-understood topics such as elder abuse/neglect and personality disorders. This volume will be a welcome addition to the bookshelf of all generalist physicians and mental health professionals working with older adults. --Dan Blazer, MD, PhD, J.P. Gibbons Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center On any given day, people over 65 constitute the majority of patients seen by a range of practitioners. In addition to diseases and functional disorders, a substantial portion of these patients have cognitive disorders and psychopathology. Yet few nongeriatric clinicians are prepared to recognize, assess, and treat these conditions. This valuable text will improve the clinical care and support that generalist practitioners can offer to older people and their caregivers --Mathay Mezey, EdD, RN, FAAN, Independence Foundation Professor of Nursing Education and Director, The Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, New York University Division of Nursing This book is clearly written and concise yet addresses a wide range of practical issues that the primary care provider is likely to encounter when caring for older adults. It is evidence based and well referenced. The tables target the major differences among psychotherapeutic agents that would allow one to individualize therapy based on underlying conditions and comorbidities. I highly recommend this book to all providers of health care to older adults. --Rosanne M. Leipzig, MD, PhD, Department of Geriatrics and Adult Development, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY This is an extremely readable overview whose scope goes beyond psychopathology in its usual sense. Every chapter also discusses the familial and social contexts of mental distress, making the book relevant for many types of professionals, including nonpsychiatric physicians, psychologists, nurses, social workers, administrators, and others who work with older people. Kennedy pays full attention to scientific evidence and the complexity of the issues while keeping the book focused and succinct. The case examples are very useful for everyday practice, as are tables providing quick reviews of topics as diverse as pharmacologic treatments for depression, decision-making competence, and types of sleep disorders. --M. Powell Lawton, PhD, Philadelphia Geriatric Center, Philadelphia, PA

'A useful reference for the student and generalist concerned with the life problems and mental health of elders. For a single author to be able to encompass this body of knowledge is remarkable, and Kennedy does it well.' - American Journal of Psychotherapy 'It is noteworthy that Dr. Kennedy gives special consideration to the complexities of providing consultation in nursing homes, on home visits, and to other health care agencies. Specific guidance on navigating this unchartered territory is both practical and valuable... Geriatric Mental Health Care is a timely endeavour written by one of the leading educators in geriatric psychiatry to guide and instruct health care professionals at every level in working with the elderly.' - Psychiatric Services 'At once focused and comprehensive, chapters provide concise overviews of the main areas of geriatric psychiatry - such as late-life depression - as well as useful reference material. Perhaps the greatest strengths of the book, however, lie in its coverage of lesser-understood topics such as elder abuse/neglect and personality disorders.' - Dan Blazer, MD, PhD, Duke University Medical Center 'This valuable text will improve the clinical care and support that generalist practitioners can offer to older people and their caregivers.' - Mathay Mezey, EdD, RN, FAAN, The Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, New York University Division of Nursing 'Relevant for many types of professionals, including nonpsychiatric physicians, psychologists, nurses, social workers, administrators, and others who work with older people... The case examples are very useful for everyday practice, as are tables providing quick reviews of topics as diverse as pharmacologic treatments for depression, decision-making competence, and types of sleep disorder.' - M. Powell Lawton, PhD, Philadelphia Geriatric Center

Author Information

Gary J. Kennedy, MD, is Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Director of the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry and the Psychogeriatric Fellowship Training Program at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, New York. He is also Supervising Psychiatrist of the Geriatric Unit at Bronx Psychiatric Center. More than 30 psychiatrists have completed geriatric training under his direction. Dr. Kennedy's research and teaching have focused on cardiac arrhythmias, the epidemiology of depression and dementia, and mental health care in nursing homes and in the community.

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