Care of the Elderly Mentally Infirm Routledge Library Editions: Health, Disease and Society Series

Originally published in 1979, this book explains why so many people suffer behavioural changes in later life; how this affects those around them; the services that exist to assist older people and those who work with them and how such services can be profitably used. A recurring theme is the interaction of the different varieties of mental illness with one another and with physical, emotional, social and personality factors. The book provides detailed guidance for social workers caring for the elderly on such topics as how an assessment of a mentally disturbed older person can be made; procedure for removal from home under a court order and compulsory admission to hospital; ways of communicating with elderly people and gauging the needs of relatives and carers.

1. Characteristics of the Elderly Mentally Infirm Bernard Isaacs 2. An Outline of Mental Illness in the Elderly Bernard Isaacs 3. The Symptoms of Brain Failure Bernard Isaacs 4. Other Mental Illness 5. Normal and Abnormal Personality Bernard Isaacs 6. The National Health Service and the Elderly Mentally Inform Bernard Isaacs 7. Demographic and Social Aspects of Old Age Barbara Gray 8. Social Services for the Elderly Barbara Gray 9. Communicating with Elderly People Barbara Gray 10. Social Work Intervention Barbara Gray 11. Needs of Relatives Barbara Gray 12. A Better Future? Bernard Isaacs and Barbara Gray.

Barbara Gray was Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the Universty of Birmingham, UK. Bernard Isaacs held the Charles Hayward Chair of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Birmingham, UK.