A unique compendium of more than 200 assessment scales, this second edition of Assessment Scales in Old Age Psychiatry is an indispensable guide for assessing the mental health problems of the elderly and the effects that such problems may have on patients' functional ability. Building on the foundation set by the first edition, the book summarizes scales commonly used in clinical and research practice and provides references for obtaining further information. The second edition includes all the assessment instruments from the first edition and over 80 new rating scales. These scales were selected on the basis of the authors' clinical and research knowledge. Every scale is accompanied by a full profile, including a completed instrument, so you can see, at a glance, the scope of the scale and its application. This information is pulled together to form a comprehensive text on assessment scales in old age psychiatry.

Mental disorders such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, and autism have devastating consequences on the lives of children and adolescents. Early assessment of their mental health problems is essential for preventative measures and intervention. This timely, authoritative guide will be of interest to everyone involved i

New trends in mental healthcare practice and a rapid increase in the aged population are causing an explosion in the fields of clinical gerontology and geropsychology today. This comprehensive second edition handbook offers clinicians and graduate students clear guidelines and reliable tools for assessing general mental health, cognitive functioning, functional age, psychosocial health, comorbidity, behavior deficits, and more. Psychopathology, behavioral disorders, changes in cognition, and changes in everyday functioning are addressed in full, and a wide range of conditions and disorders common to this patient population are covered. Each chapter provides an empirical review of assessment instruments, assessment scales in their totality, a review of how these instruments are used with and adapted for different cultural groups, illustration of assessments through case studies, and information on how to utilize ongoing assessment in treatment and/or treatment planning. This combination of elements will make the volume the definitive assessment source for clinicians working with elderly patients. The most comprehensive source of up-to-date data on gerontological assessment, with review articles covering: psychopathology, behavioral disorders, changes in cognition, and changes in everyday functioning Consolidates broadly distributed literature into single source, saving researchers and clinicians time in obtaining and translating information and improving the level of further research and care they can provide Chapters directly address the range of conditions and disorders most common for this patient population - i.e. driving ability, mental competency, sleep, nutrition, sexual functioning, demntias, elder abuse, depression, anxiety disorders, etc Fully informs readers regarding conditions most commonly encountered in real world treatment of an elderly patient population Each chapter cites case studies to illustrate assessment techniques Exposes reader to real-world application of each assessment discussed

Here is a major text in psychogeriatrics for all professionals in the field of aging and mental health. Leading authorities provide valuable insights into assessment and intervention techniques for use with the mentally impaired elderly. Topics include a depression scale for use in later life, family therapy, therapy in later life, and various issues concerning mental health care for the aged.

Because limited training in geriatric psychiatry has tended to give insufficient attention to mental health care for the elderly, clinicians often need help when assessing and treating problems specific to older clients. Clinical Manual of Geriatric Psychiatry provides a single-volume reference that covers the full range of such problems, from depression to dementia. It shows that psychiatrists working with older people must sometimes be willing to play a generalist's role, combining routine medical management with psychiatric interventions or helping with social or situational problems. Drs. Spar and La Rue review the effects of aging on cognitive performance, including clinical presentations of memory loss and medication-induced symptoms of mental disorder. They offer practical guidance to help the clinician not only diagnose and treat these conditions but also address such issues as evaluating competency for informed consent. Enhanced by numerous charts and tables for easy reference, the book boasts a broad range of coverage: • Guidelines to differential diagnosis of depression -- laboratory tests, psychological tests, and symptom rating scales -- along with insights on new directions in psychotherapy, including intervention within primary care. • Assessment of both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and non-SSRIs as first-line agents for depression, citing advantages and disadvantages of specific drugs, plus advice on switching or combining antidepressants.• Discussion of the effective use of electroconvulsive therapy -- particularly the use of brief-pulse, bilateral electrode placement -- as well as experimental therapies such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and vagal nerve stimulation. • Guidance in cognitive mental status examinations and brief screening tools for dementia and Alzheimer's disease, focusing on the Mini-Mental State Exam and summarizing advanced and experimental diagnostics such as single photon emission computed tomography and positron emission tomography. • Appraisal of psychosocial therapies for patients with Alzheimer's Disease, such as behavior modification and reminiscence therapy, plus use of cholinesterase inhibitors for treatment of cognitive deficits.• Review of approaches to anxiety disorders, including differential diagnosis of phobias, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder, with a focus on psychosocial-behavior therapy and medications of choice. With life expectancies increasing, people over 85 already constitute one of the fastest growing demographics -- and the number of older people with mental disorders is rising as well. Clinical Manual of Geriatric Psychiatry explains how working effectively with older adults requires a blending of specialized knowledge with a flexible approach to the patient -- and shows how to bring that about in daily practice.