Geriatric Psychiatry / Geropsychiatry
Geriatric psychiatry, or geropsychiatry, is the area of psychiatry dealing with older adults and the emotional and cognitive changes associated with aging. These may include depression, anxiety, issues related to pain or illness, sleep disorders, loss of independence and end-of-life issues. Geriatric psychiatrists, or geropsychiatrists, also diagnose and evaluate dementia and other memory disorders, assess functioning, prescribe appropriate medications and work with family members to better understand and cope with illnesses.Qualifications
Geriatric psychiatrists are medical doctors. They must therefore first complete their undergraduate and medical degrees, followed by a residency in psychiatry. To specialize in geriatric psychiatry, then then undergo a one-year fellowship during which they are supervised in treating seniors with issues related to aging and mental health. After completing this fellowship, they may take an exam to be certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) for a subspecialty in Geriatrics.
To learn more, read one geriatric psychiatrist's description of her job, its rewards and challenges at Geriatric Psychiatry: The Art of Treating Patients with Dementia.