Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Characteristics of older adults referred to a psychiatric emergency outreach service

  • Published:
The journal of mental health administration Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Although older adults typically underutilize mental health services, problems associated with dementing illnesses, chronic medical illnesses, affective disorders, social isolation, and multiple medication use, among other phenomena, have increased referrals of the elderly to psychiatric emergency services. The present study reviewed characteristics of elderly adults referred to a psychiatric emergency outreach/screening service. Of all individuals for whom a referral was made, 24% were aged 60 or older. Among those older adults referred, 63% were seen by screening service personnel; 37% did not meet screening criteria or voluntarily sought mental health services. Diagnoses of individuals evaluated included dementia (27%), affective disorders (27%), schizophrenia (16%), psychosis (12%), alcohol abuse (7), and diagnosis deferred (11%). Findings highlight the limited options available for mental health care of the aged.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Puryear DA, Lovitt R, Miller DA: Characteristics of elderly persons seen in an urban psychiatric emergency room.Hospital and Community Psychiatry 1991; 42:802–807.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Simson S, Wilson L: Meeting the mental health needs of the aged: The role of psychiatric emergency services.Hospital and Community Psychiatry 1982; 33:833–836.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Waxman HM, Carner EA, Klein M: Underutilization of mental health professionals by community elderly.The Gerontologist 1984; 24:23–30.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Burns B, Taube CA: Mental health services in general medical care and nursing homes. In: Fogel BS, Furino A, Gottlieb G (Eds):Protecting Minds at Risk. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Gatz M, Smyer MA: The mental health system and older adults in the 1990s.American Psychologist 1992; 47:741–751.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Waxman HM, Carner EA, Dubin W, et al.: Geriatric psychiatry in the emergency department: Characteristics of geriatric and non-geriatric admissions.Journal of the American Geriatric Society 1982; 30:427–432.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Waxman HM, Dubin W, Klein M, et al.: Geriatric psychiatry in the emergency department, II: Evaluation and treatment of geriatric and nongeriatric admissions.Journal of the American Geriatric Society 1984; 32:343–349.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Bassuk EL, Minden S, Apsler R: Geriatric emergencies: Psychiatric or medical.American Journal of Psychiatry 1983; 140:539–542.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Blixen C, Lion J: Psychiatric visits to general hospital clinics by elderly persons and younger adults.Hospital and Community Psychiatry 1991; 42:171–175.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. SAS Institute:SAS/STAT User's Guide, Release 6.03. Cary, N.C.: SAS Institute, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  11. State of New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Hospitals:Rules: Screening and Sreening Outreach. Trenton, N.J.: State of New Jersey Department of Human Services, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Gara MA:Fiscal Year 1992 Utilization Report. Piscataway, N.J.: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey—Community Mental Health Center, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Lebowitz BD, Light E, Bailey F: Mental health center services for the elderly: The impact of coordination with Area Agencies on Aging.The Gerontologist 1987; 27:699–702.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. McGuire TG: Outpatient benefits for mental health services in Medicare: Alignment with the private sector?American Psychologist 1989; 44:818–824.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. COPSA Institute, UMDNJ-CMHC, 667 Hoes Lane, P.O. Box 1392, 08855-1392, Piscataway, NJ

    Andrew C. Coyne Ph.D.

  2. Acute Psychiatric Services, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Community Mental Health Center at Piscataway, New Jersey, USA

    Richard Gjertsen Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Andrew C. Coyne Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Richard Gjertsen Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Coyne, A.C., Gjertsen, R. Characteristics of older adults referred to a psychiatric emergency outreach service. The Journal of Mental Health Administration 20, 208–211 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02518689

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02518689

Keywords

Search

Navigation