Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-mp689 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-25T00:26:06.068Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Older people with enduring or recurrent severe mental illness in the Eastern Region of Ireland

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Margo Wrigley
Affiliation:
Dept of Old Age Psychiatry, Mater Hospital, 61 Eccles Street, Dublin 7
Bernadette Murphy
Affiliation:
St Loman's Hospital, Palmerstown Dublin 20
Martin Farrell
Affiliation:
224 North Circular Road, Dublin 7
Brendan Cassidy
Affiliation:
Cluain Mhuire Psychiatric Services, Newtownpark Ave, Blackrock, Co Dublin
Jim Ryan
Affiliation:
Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, Ireland

Abstract

Objectives: There has been no specific planning for older people with enduring or recurrent severe mental illness in Ireland. This survey aims to identify the number of affected over 65 year olds (graduates) and 55-64 year olds (prospective graduates) in the Health Service Executive, Eastern Region, their diagnoses and their use of psychiatric services.

Method: A comprehensive survey of the ten general adult psychiatry and four old age psychiatry services in the (HSE) Eastern Region was undertaken for the year 2003 to determine the number of patients, their diagnoses and service utilisation.

Results: 649 people over 65 years old were identified within the general adult psychiatry services and a further 279 within the old age psychiatry services giving a total of 928. (This number rose to 1141 after correcting for missing outpatient data.) 1,397 people between the ages of 55-64 were identified. (This number rose to 1,916 after correcting for missing outpatient data.)

Conclusions: There are substantial numbers of ‘graduates’ and ‘prospective graduates’ in the Eastern Region. It is essential that services for this population are specifically planned for and further qualitative research is required to inform this process.

Type
Audit
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2006

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Arie, T, Jolley, DJ. Making Services work: Organisation and style of psychogeriatric services. In The Psychiatry of Late Life ed Levy, , Post, F.Blackwell, London 1982; 222–51.Google Scholar
2.Abdul – Hamid, W, Holloway, F, Silverman, M. Psychiatric Care Needs of Elderly Graduates – Unanswered Questions. Aging and Mental Health 1998; 2(3): 167170.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3.DHSS. Services for mental illness related toold age. Department of Health and Social Security Circular HM (72) 71, 1972; HMSO, London.Google Scholar
4.Wrigley, M, Murphy, B, Farrell, M, Cassidy, B. Older people with enduring or recurrent severe mentalillness (Graduates): A literature review. Ir J Psych Med 2006; 23(2): 151155.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5.Palmer, B, Heaton, S, Jeste, D. Older Patients with Schizophrena. Psychiatric Services 1999; SO: 11781183.Google Scholar
6.Jolley, D, Kosky, N, Holloway, F. Older people with long-standing mental illness: The graduates. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment. 2004; 10: 2736.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7.Cohen, C, Cohen, G, Blank, Ket al.Schizophrenia and Old Adults. An Overview: Directions for Research and Policy. AMJ Geriatr Psychiatry 2000; 8: 1.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8.Lebowitz, B, Light, E. The aging care-givers of psychiatric patients: healthcare perspectives. Psychiatr Ann 1996; 26: 785792.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9.Shaw, W, Patterson, T, Semple, Set al.Use of Community Support Services by Middle Ages and Older Patients with Psychotic Disorder. Psychiatric Services 2000; 51(4): 506512.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10.Department of Health. The Psychiatric Services – Planning for the Future. 1984; Stationery Office, Dublin, Ireland.Google Scholar
11.Central Statistics Office, 2002 Census, CSO, Dublin, Ireland.Google Scholar
12.Rodriguez-Ferrera, S, Vassilas, C. Older people with schizophrenia: providing services for a neglected group. BMJ 1998; 317: 293–4.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13.Jolley, D, Kosky, N, Holloway, F. Caring for people who enter old age with enduring or relapsing mental illness (“graduates”). Council Report 110, The Royal College of Psychiatrists 2002.Google Scholar
14.Karim, S, Burns, A. Invited commentary on older people with longstanding mental illness: the graduates. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment 2004; 10: 3436.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15.Campbell, P, Anantl, H. Graduates. In Psychiatry in the Elderly. Eds Jacoby, R, Oppenheimer, C, 2002.Google Scholar