An aging world population
The aging of the world's population is linked, among other things, to the increase in life expectancy made possible by improved treatment and access to healthcare. In Switzerland, for example, the proportion of people aged 65 or over has increased by 100% over the past 40 years, and is expected to reach 32% of the country's total population by 2050. Today, there are more than one and a half million people over 65 in Switzerland.
Aging has a major impact on mental health. The prevalence of certain mental disorders tends to increase with age: depression, but also dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease, significantly affect the over-65s and represent a major public health issue.
Outpatient care for the elderly
The Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy for the Elderly offers :
- Individual psychiatric and psychotherapeutic care
- Couple/family therapy
- Support at critical stages in the life cycle
(retirement, bereavement, unemployment, acceptance of aging, etc.) - Support for caregivers
Depending on needs, consultations can take place :
- At the Les Toises
- In a medical-social establishment where the patient is staying
- In referral services
(hospitals, medical-social centers, etc.) - At the patient's home
The approach to care is multidisciplinary. With the patient's agreement, the team of specialists works closely with all those involved in the problematic situation (patient, family, close friends, attending physician, care services and medical-social network) to achieve the best possible results.
All appropriate therapeutic measures are proposed to reduce the psychological and/or physical suffering of patients, their families and those involved in their care.
Preferred types of intervention
As mental health is the result of the interrelation of biological, psychological and social factors, the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy for the Elderly considers various intervention models to better understand and treat psychological disorders:
- Social psychiatry
- Crisis intervention
- Liaison work
- Rehabilitation
These interventions aim to prevent the onset or worsening of disorders, to reduce them or to limit their harmful effects on the patient, his or her loved ones or professionals. They are based on the most recent developments in the treatment and/or care of people with mental disorders.
Psychological disorders and treated illnesses
- Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia
- Anxiety disorders
- Addictive disorders
(addictions) - Mood disorders
(depression, bipolar disorders) - Stress-related disorders
(post-traumatic stress disorder, burnout syndrome) - Personality disorders
- Sleep disorders
- Persistent painful somatoform disorder and other somatoform disorders
- Eating disorders
- Schizophrenia and other forms of psychosis
Obsessive-compulsive disorders - Sexual disorders
- Other mental disorders affecting the elderly
Promoting the mental health of the elderly
In addition to its clinical mandate, the Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of the Elderly Service team aims to contribute to improving the mental health of the elderly, as defined in health policies and programs (e.g.: National Dementia Strategy, Vaud Mental Health Policy, Cantonal Aging and Health Policy). To this end, they maintain regular contact with associations and participate in their prevention, screening, training and rehabilitation efforts.
