A PSYCHOGERIATRIC COMMUNITY OUTREACH SERVICE - DESCRIPTION AND EVALUATION

The structure and function of a small psychogeriatric community outreach team is outlined, together with the results of intervention in 100 consecutive cases. Patients in residential or nursing home care were rated for level of behavioural disturbance at entry to the study and after three months. Patients with dementia and psychotic disorders showed clinically and statistically significant improvement, whereas the improvement of patients with major depression was not statistically significant. The usefulness of the outreach service was evaluated independently by carers and by referring agents. Eighty per cent of carers and 87% of referring agents rated the service as useful or very useful. It was concluded that a small outreach team (comprising the equivalent of only six full-time staff) is an effective and acceptable supplement to the overall care of psychogeriatric patients.