Geriatric Mental Health Care: Addressing the Unique Challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on older adults with mental illness, and Geriatric Mental Health Care was conceived in response to this critical need. Written by experts in the field, this book provides a comprehensive guide to mitigating the effects of the pandemic on a vulnerable population.

A Timely Response to a Growing Crisis

As the world struggles to cope with the ongoing pandemic, Geriatric Mental Health Care offers a beacon of hope. The authors, who wrote this book during the pandemic, share their real-world experience and expertise in developing innovative clinical and social solutions to address the unique challenges faced by older adults with mental illness.

This book is more than just a theoretical exploration of the pandemic’s impact. It offers practical, evidence-based solutions that can be applied in real-world settings, making it an invaluable resource for mental health professionals, policymakers, and anyone concerned about the well-being of older adults.

A Comprehensive Approach to Geriatric Mental Health Care

Through a combination of introductory vignettes, key takeaways, and multiple-choice questions, Geriatric Mental Health Care provides a comprehensive understanding of the complex issues surrounding geriatric mental health care during a pandemic.

• Historical perspective on the mental health effects of pandemics
• Inpatient geriatric psychiatry during a pandemic
• Telehealth models of care
• Health care staff concerns
• Social determinants of health
• The impact of nonclinical factors on clinical care

By exploring the pandemic’s effects on research and the economy, the authors provide a nuanced understanding of the interplay between clinical and nonclinical factors in geriatric mental health care.

A Call to Action: Preparing for Future Pandemics

Although significant progress has been made in delivering mental health care to older adults, the reality is that many challenges remain. As the world looks to the future, mental health professionals must be prepared to provide care under the trying conditions of future pandemics. Geriatric Mental Health Care provides a roadmap for clinicians and systems to emulate promising practices and adapt to the evolving landscape of geriatric mental health care.

Published by the American Psychiatric Association Publishing in March 2022, Geriatric Mental Health Care is a timely and necessary resource for anyone concerned about the mental health and well-being of older adults.