A Canadian perspective on follow-up of geriatric psychiatric patients in the general hospital.
Institutional follow-up is necessary because relapse, not serious enough to lead to reinstitutionalization but serious enough to impair the individual's quality of life, frequently occurs. The process of aftercare for the geriatric patient discharged from the general hospital psychiatric unit should be coordinated and carried out by an aftercare team within the institution. Aftercare planning should be integrated into the acute treatment phase. The patient should be actively sought out to help forge a strong therapeutic alliance and prevent feelings of abandonment. The dangers of nihilistic feelings, secondary to the burden of care imposed on unsupported community resources, may be lightened by the backup provided by institutional resources.
D000359:Aftercare / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010351:Patient Discharge; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*