Homebound aged: the dilemma of psychiatric intervention.
This study reports the 12 month experience of a hospital-based, multidisciplinary psychogeriatric community team. The patients evaluated were unable to come to the hospital clinics because of a psychiatric and/or physical disability. The group included some patients rarely seen in psychiatric office practice and outpatient facilities, but who posed problems for their families and the community. Some required referral to a clinic, crisis management or emergency hospitalization. Others however, required only minimal intervention. A total of 151 patients (119 females and 32 males) whose average age was 78.2, were seen. Seventy percent were widowed, single, divorced or separated; 43% lived alone. The patients were grouped according to the method of intervention used: psychiatric and social intervention--55%; social and nursing intervention--28%; no follow-up--11% and; emergency hospitalization--6%. Seventeen patients were left "untreated". These patients usually had more adequate family or community support than was initially apparent. They were referred for a crisis which was resolved quickly. An attempt is made to explain our approach, and several case examples are given.
Grauer
H
H
Department of Psychiatry, Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec.
Kravitz
H
H
Davis
E
E
Rodrigue
C
C
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003419:Crisis Intervention; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology*; D006699:Home Care Services; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012931:Social Environment