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A Psychogeriatric Outreach Service to Nursing Homes in Sydney
Author(s) -
Draper Brian,
Meares Susanne,
McIntosh Helen
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/j.1741-6612.1998.tb00070.x
Subject(s) - outreach , medicine , dementia , audit , depression (economics) , nursing homes , psychological intervention , medical diagnosis , family medicine , nursing , psychiatry , disease , political science , law , management , pathology , economics , macroeconomics
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.