Referral to the old age psychiatry services

This section deals with the interface between care homes and mental health services for old people. Mental illnesses are common in care home residents but often not recognised. Depression in particular is easily missed but responds to treatment. Care staff observations on residents provide vital help to mental health services in assessing patients. In making a referral (usually through the GP) it is important to state how urgently the resident needs to be seen. Many old age mental health service now provide a care homes liaison team who can give informal advice and may be able to help with training.