Family Therapy with the Elderly Mentally Ill

Over a six month period, 142 consecutive referrals of patients over 65 to a community-orientated psycho-geriatric service in North London were studied. The psycho-social factors determining referral were quantified and their relationship to diagnosis analysed. Therapeutic strategies are described, devised to deal with the presenting psycho-social problems. It is suggested that a family-centred approach is of some value in the management of the elderly mentally ill.