Practical Strategies in Geriatric Mental Health

Cases and Approaches

Laura B. Dunn, Erin L. Cassidy-Eagle
APAP
455 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1615371488
September 2019

Practical Strategies in Geriatric Mental Health: Cases and Approaches provides practical, up-to-the-minute information and tools for clinicians working with older adults. The reality of a drastic shortage of geriatric mental health specialists compelled the volume editors to design this book to teach practitioners -- not necessarily trained to work with this group -- to meet the needs of these patients. Accordingly, a roster of expert authors offers the most practical clinical and research insights across the most relevant, frequently encountered diagnostic and treatment problems. Each chapter is organized in a logical, easy-to-follow structure that hinges discussion of a particular symptom or disorder (e.g., depression, mild cognitive impairment, generalized anxiety disorder) on the presentation of a representative, realistic clinical vignette. This structure makes topics, such as diagnostic criteria, assessment, interviewing, and treatment, easier to contextualize and practice. Physicians, psychologists, social workers, nurses, and even laypeople will appreciate the book's down-to-earth approach, as exemplified by the chapter on driving -- an issue that can cause distress in patients, family, and the public.