Community psychiatry and the elderly.

An account is given of the first year's experience in providing psychogeriatric service to a large urban community. Patients were attended in their homes, in nursing homes and in Homes for the Aged. There was a tendency for the consultant's help to be sought mainly in cases of "disposal" of difficult patients rather than for treatment of the many who could be expected to benefit from it. However, the advantage has been demonstrated of continuity of service in the variety of settings and, as a result, the more proper placement of patients. Acceptance of the help the psychogeriatrician can contribute will inevitably increase, but demands the provision of improved day-care and day-hospital facilities.