There is an increasing need for geriatric mental health services: Life expectancy from birth has increased dramatically in the United States, from 49 years in 1900 to 76.5 years at present. This massive shift in population demographics has seen a corresponding growth in need for mental health services for the elderly. At least 12% of older adults in the community have diagnosable mental disorders, and 30-50% of elderly individuals in medical settings have mental disorders. The prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease is expected to triple by the year 2040. Older adults experience the same broad spectrum of psychiatric problems as younger individuals, however there are some conditions which are of particular importance because of their increased frequency among older populations including dementia, depression and anxiety which may occur for the first time later in life, as well as serious mental illnesses which are affected by the aging process.
Outpatient services: Our program involves assessment and treatment of mental disorders for adults age 60 and older. We provide care to those with behavioral and mental disorders such as dementia, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety and psychosis. Available services include diagnostic assessment, psychopharmacologic management and psychotherapeutic interventions with respect to later-life developmental processes. Our clinicians emphasize care that is coordinated with primary and specialty care medical providers in conjunction with families and available support services.
Inpatient services: The inpatient program consists of an 18-bed unit housed in the Hanna Pavilion. Inpatient psychiatric services involve stabilization of acute illness with multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment for older adults. We offer a warm and receiving environment with staff that is kind and personable. Our team collaborates with the patient’s primary care provider and family in addition to specialists from other medical services and they together address diagnosis, prognosis, treatment plans and post-discharge plans.
Our physicians:
Dr. David Agle MD , Sihler Family Professor of Psychiatry
Office locations: Hanna Pavilion
Special interests: Psychotherapy
Dr. Philipp Dines MD, PhD , Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
Office locations: Hanna Pavilion, Elder Health
Special interests: Neuropsychiatry (i.e. mental retardation, traumatic brain injury, stroke, medical and or neurological comorbid illnesses of the brain including but not limited to dementia and other geropsychiatric conditions).
Dr. Martha Sajatovic MD, Professor of Psychiatry.
Office locations: Triangle Building
Special interests: Late-life bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia. Clinical research and clinical trials
To contact us or make an appointment: Call 216-844-2400