[Gerontopsychiatry in the general hospital--report of experiences with a newly opened gerontopsychiatric unit of the psychiatric department of a general hospital].

The construction and treatment setting of a psychogeriatric acute treatment unit of a psychiatric department at a general hospital is described. Besides the prevailing amount of organic brain syndromes, there were more neurotic and reactive disturbed patients compared to mental state hospitals, who were treated in a psychotherapeutic manner. Experiences in psychotherapy with elderly are described and evaluated and problems in diagnostic and therapy with primarily demented patients are presented. Furthermore are described the therapeutic styles of different professions and the difficulties in implementing the principles of the therapeutic community in a psychogeriatric setting.