To determine the discharge destination of patients admitted to a psychogeriatric unit.

Records of all patients discharged from an in-patient psychogeriatric unit between 1st July 2009 and 30th June 2010 were examined. The diagnosis, residence at admission, length of stay and discharge destination were recorded.

There were ninety-four discharges over the study period. Four of the patients were admitted and discharged twice. The mean age was 76.7 years (range 65–95 years). 52.1% (n = 49) were diagnosed with dementia and 47.9% (n = 45) with functional mental illness. The average length of stay was 67.4 days for dementia compare to 74.2 days for functional mental illness. 17.1% (n = 6/32) of patients with dementia and 84.2% (n = 32/38) of patients with functional mental illness resident at home at the time of admission were discharged home.

This finding suggests that patients with functional mental illness are more likely to be discharge back to their homes compared with patients with dementia.