Psychogeriatric services

Abstract

The incidence of mental illness among old people is much higher than among the young. The Newcastle Study, started in the 1960's established that I in 10 over the age of 65 years had an organic brain syndrome. Half of these people were suffering from senile dementia, and half from arteriosclerotic (multi-infarct) dementia (Kay et al 1964). They found that 80% of these people needed some form of domicilliary service in order to cope at home. No demented person managed to cope living alone at home. Despite this, most people suffering from moderate to severe dementia live in the community, less than 1 in 7 live in institutions. No statistics are available for the number of demented in the community in Malta receiving any form of domicilliary service.