Specialist mental healthcare
Older Adult & Geriatric Psychiatry
Mental-health assessment and treatment for older adults, with attention to physical health, medicines, memory, function, family and caregiver needs.
Emotional and behavioural symptoms in later life can be influenced by medical illness, medicines, sensory changes, bereavement, reduced independence, social isolation, cognitive change and earlier mental-health conditions. Assessment therefore looks beyond symptoms alone.
When an older adult may benefit from assessment
Persistent sadness, loss of interest, hopelessness, irritability or withdrawal.
Excessive worry, panic, health anxiety, restlessness or avoidance.
Increasing forgetfulness, confusion, difficulty planning, getting lost or loss of day-to-day skills.
Suspiciousness, hallucinations, agitation, aggression, disinhibition or marked personality change.
Major changes in sleep, eating, energy or daily routine.
Difficulty managing medicines, money, self-care, household tasks or previously familiar activities.
A sudden or rapidly fluctuating change in attention, awareness or behaviour can be caused by delirium or another acute medical problem and needs prompt medical assessment.
What the assessment may consider
- Current psychiatric symptoms and previous mental-health history.
- Memory, attention, language, judgement and other cognitive functions where relevant.
- Physical illnesses, pain, sleep, nutrition, mobility, vision and hearing.
- Current medicines, recent medicine changes and possible adverse or anticholinergic effects.
- Alcohol or other substance use.
- Daily functioning, safety, falls, driving and ability to manage medicines or finances.
- Information from a family member or caregiver where appropriate and with due regard to consent and confidentiality.
Care may include
The plan depends on the diagnosis, severity, physical health, medicines, preferences and functional needs. It may include psychiatric treatment, psychological interventions, medicine review, family guidance, cognitive or functional assessment, rehabilitation, social support and coordination with other medical specialists when required.
Memory problems and dementia
Memory change is not always dementia. Depression, delirium, medicines, sleep problems, thyroid or other medical conditions, sensory impairment and neurological illness can also affect thinking and function. Persistent or progressive cognitive change deserves assessment rather than being assumed to be a normal part of ageing.
Read about Dementia & Memory Disorders →
Working with families and caregivers
Families and caregivers often notice changes in behaviour, function or memory and can provide useful history. They may also need guidance about communication, routines, safety, caregiver strain and planning for changing support needs.
Seek urgent help when safety is at risk
Urgent assessment is appropriate for sudden confusion, suicidal behaviour, severe agitation, suspected overdose, inability to maintain basic safety, acute neurological symptoms or another medical emergency.
Clinical sources
World Health Organization: Mental health of older adults (2026)
NICE NG97: Dementia — assessment, management and support
This information is for general education and does not replace an individual clinical assessment.