Elderly Mental Health in Developing Countries

Abstract

Geriatric Psychiatry deals with specific issues and challenges that arise in the assessment and management of mental health problems in elderly. As a specialty it has not received much attention in developing countries until recently. Elderly will soon be major consumers of mental health care in developing countries. Common psycho-social issues among the elderly and their impact on the mental health in the developing regions of the world and the complex interplay between physical health and mental health in the elderly are described. Dementia and depression are described in some detail focussing on relevant research to highlight the challenges in developing countries. Potential solutions to address the challenges of elderly mental health in developing countries are discussed.