Intervention and social breakdown in the elderly.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the ethical and clinical issues associated with the management of social breakdown in the elderly (SBE) in relation to the case of a 76-year-old recluse who was referred following community concerns about her living conditions and behaviour.


METHODS
Longitudinal assessment and management of the patient resulted in a diagnosis of schizophrenia and treatment with fluphenazine decanoate.


RESULTS
The patient responded to treatment and was returned home, after which a relationship was maintained by community services.


CONCLUSIONS
A coherent and defensible position on both clinical and ethical grounds may be made in favour of intervention with SBE. Practical aspects of the process are suggested.
Gramplans Psychiatric Services, Lakeside Hospital, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia.
J D
JD
Little
D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005260:Female; D005476:Fluphenazine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012918:Social Alienation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D012934:Social Isolation
C011825:fluphenazine depot; D005476:Fluphenazine