Geriatric Psychiatrist in Jacksonville, FL

Geriatric psychiatric evaluations are used to assess the mental health and well-being of patients who are aged 65 years and older, often involving a comprehensive evaluation of their emotional state, cognitive function, and general mental health to develop a personalized treatment plan for the patient. The psychiatric evaluation will always be performed by a healthcare professional, most likely a geriatric psychiatrist or psychologist, and can include a variety of assessments chosen by them to gather sufficient information regarding the medical history, daily functioning, and current symptoms of the patient to provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. More specifically, these assessments will often involve a list of the patient’s current medications, a review of their medical history, an assessment of their memory and cognitive function, screening for psychiatric disorders, an evaluation of their emotional well-being, as well as an assessment of their living environment and support system. 

The evaluation can help to identify if there are any concerns regarding the patient’s mental health, such as cognitive decline, depression, or anxiety. The goal of a geriatric psychiatric evaluation will be to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the patient’s mental health to provide an accurate diagnosis where applicable as well as a personalized treatment plan. Most treatment plans for geriatric psychiatric patients will include management techniques, such as therapy and/or medication, as well as other interventions that are deemed suitable for the individual patient. 

The general recommendation for older patients is to start seeing a geriatric doctor or psychiatrist when they are around 65 years old or older. Others may wish to start seeing geriatric healthcare providers even earlier depending on the physical and mental health changes that they are experiencing. Many conditions can start to develop in those who are a bit younger and would be most effectively treated by a geriatric specialist.

At each age demographic, we start to face different health challenges, and age-related physical and mental health conditions can start to present much younger than 65 years old. Geriatric doctors are most likely going to be the optimal specialist, particularly in cases where the patient is suffering from age-related conditions including cognitive decline, mood disorders, and other types of mental health concerns. 

If you are nearing 65 years of age and notice any changes to your physical or mental health, or have specific concerns regarding age-related conditions, you are always encouraged to reach out to a qualified healthcare provider, regardless of your age as advocating for your health is essential. The trusted healthcare provider will be able to guide you through a variety of treatment options or courses of action that will be best suited to your needs and preferences. 

There are many different possible causes for altered mental status and cognitive functioning among geriatric patients, so any changes should be evaluated by a geriatric psychiatrist to ensure that an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan is determined. The most common causes of altered mental status for this age demographic include:

• Side effects due to certain medications often include confusion or disorientation among geriatric patients.
• Imbalances of the metabolic system, such as dehydration, abnormal blood sugar levels, and electrolyte imbalances, can all affect normal brain function. 
• Infections such as pneumonia or urinary tract infections.
• Acute injuries or illnesses such as head trauma, heart attacks, or a stroke.
• Depression, anxiety, or other mental health disorders.
• Cognitive decline or dementia, can directly cause changes in the cognitive abilities of all patients. 

There are many other possible causes for changes in the mental status of geriatric patients, but it can be very easy to overlook these mental status changes, often resulting in conditions or illnesses being undiagnosed or diagnosed very late, limiting the efficacy of available treatment and management options. For more information, contact us today or book an appointment online. We have a convenient location to serve you at 2950 Halcyon Lane Suite 605 Jacksonville, FL 32223. We serve patients from Boynton Beach FL, Delray Beach FL, Palm Beach Gardens FL, Jupiter FL, Stuart FL, Palm City FL, Royal Palm Beach FL, Wellington FL, Vero Beach FL, Citrus Ridge FL, Plantation FL, Sunrise FL, Jacksonville FL, Riverside FL, Melbourne FL, Palm Bay FL, and surrounding areas.