Psychiatric features in the elderly with or without dementia in a geriatric hospital

Objectives: The growing number of elderly people is challenging the reorganization of European health care systems. In France, there is an overlap between geriatric and psychiatric care of the elderly. This study was designed to describe the features of these patients, managed in both geriatric and geriatric psychiatry inpatient units. Methods: We used The Programme Medicalise de Systeme d'Information for the period 2009-2014. We focused on psychiatric disorders and dementia. Results: 11.17% and 25% of patients have psychiatric disorders without dementia in geriatric and geriatric psychiatry units, respectively. Depression is the main mental illness. Their characteristics do not differ from those observed in other patients, apart from age. Conclusion: A part of the elderly psychiatric population is managed in the geriatric care system. Our results underline the importance of more integrated care between geriatric and psychiatry to prevent exclusion of patients from the health care system. Depression in elderly without dementia could justify the creation of specific inpatient units.