Correspondence : Byoung Hoon Oh, MD, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 696-6 Tanbeol-dong, Gwangju 464-100, Korea
Tel : +82-31-765-0443, Fax : +82-31-761-7582, E-mail : drobh@yumc.yonsei.ac.kr, drobh@chollian.net

Geriatric Psychiatry is a branch of psychiatry that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders which may occur in older adults. It includes the promotion of the mental health and well being of older people and the improvement of the care of those with late-life mental disorders.
Geriatric psychiatry has witnessed many significant developments in the last 30 years with the emphasis being placed on multi-disciplinary team approaches. The rapid development of geriatric psychiatry is due to the introduction of two concepts. First, many mental illnesses in old age can now be treated successfully, even though some (particularly the dementias) can still be chronic and progressive. Second, appropriate intervention can contribute to the improvement of quality of life.
Disorders in old age include typical dementia, depression, anxiety, late-life psychosis, and sleep disorder. The co-morbidity of chronic pain, Parkinson's disease, heart disease, diabetes, stroke or other medical disorders may also occur. Older adults have special physical, emotional and social needs. Therefore, the practice of geriatric psychiatry is based on an integrated approach involving diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and prevention embedded in a multidisciplinary paradigm.¹
According to the Consensus Statement (1996) published by the World Health Organization, psychiatry of old age is a branch of psychiatry and forms a part of the multidisciplinary delivery of mental health care to older people. This specialty is sometimes referred to as geriatric psychiatry, old age psychiatry or psychogeriatrics. The World Psychiatric Association has published two consensus statements concerning the specialty of psychiatry for the elderly. 1) The specialty of psychiatry of the elderly requires a grounding in general psychiatry and in general medicine. 2) Training schemes for all health workers should include a component of mental health care of older people.
For a proper and adequate evaluation, it is necessary to understand the process of ageing. Ageing is the progressive decline in function and performance with age. Psychologically, ageing affects intellect and personality, though how much of this is due to the ageing of the brain in conjunction with social aspects is not yet clear. The diagnostic evaluation of geriatric patients is composed of psychiatric, medical, neurologic, neurocognitive and brain imaging evaluations. The evaluation of past history, family history, and medication history should also be included.
Multidisciplinary treatment based on biopsychosocial and team approaches is essential. Major therapies include biological, pharmaceutical, electroconvulsive and psychosocial therapy, behavior management, psychotherapy, family therapy, psychoeducation and care skill training.²
Treatment settings consist of acute inpatients, ambulatory clinic, long-term residential care, consultation/liaison, respite/rehabilitation/medium term care and domiciliary visit settings. Psychogeriatric service must meet the needs of the old people in the community through the provision of comprehensive and integrated care.

1. Sadavoy J, Lazarus LW, Javik LF. Comprehensive review of geriatric psychiatry. Washington: American Psychiatric Press; 1992.

2. Jacoby R, Oppenheimer C. Psychiatry in the elderly (3rd ed). Oxford; 2002.