Geriatric Psychiatrist

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Senior Psychiatrist

What Is Senior Psychiatry?

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As they get older, seniors go through a natural process that often has unfortunate side effects on the brain. Dementia, alcohol abuse, substance abuse, Alzheimer’s disease, chronic pain, disability, poor diet, and other similar disorders are common in the elderly, but they can be effectively treated and improved with the use of medication and mental exercises.

There is no specific age when mental health issues begin to affect individuals. Genetics, environmental factors, and life experiences can all have an impact on a person’s mental health. Mental health issues stemming from old age should not be stigmatized as unnatural or untreatable. PNS believes a healthy mind is crucial for living a happy and fulfilling life. Don’t let stress weigh you or a loved one down or dictate your actions.

Our geriatric psychiatrists understand the reality of growing older. Certain conditions can dramatically affect your life and become a debilitating hazard if left unchecked. As geriatric psychiatrists, we may prescribe medications, suggest helpful games, and encourage routines to improve your memory and cognitive acuity. We look for signs of detachment, depression, real and unreal fears, and anxiety. We work to alleviate the triggers of stress.

Many people associate seniors who are aging with suffering from mental deterioration, but through treatment, management, and practice, your cerebral functions can be maintained and even expanded. 

Your brain is the same as the muscles in your body; as you age, your muscles undergo changes and can weaken due to repeated injuries or usage. Just like muscles, through geriatric psychiatry, we can heal and strengthen your brain by developing the right rehabilitation plan. A geriatric psychiatric evaluation can lead to a “physical training” of the mind, and your geriatric psychiatrist can assist you with this training.

Just because you or someone you love is growing older does not mean you must accept the disappearing capabilities of the mind.

Alcohol/Chemical Dependency Therapy

Alcohol dependency is an addiction to and chemical dependence on alcohol. An alcoholic is someone who continues to use alcohol despite negative consequences. Because alcohol is toxic to the human mind and body, this dependency can have disastrous effects on a person’s health and life.  

A geriatric psychiatrist can help you overcome late-life addiction disorders with various treatment plan options, taking care to ensure your treatment is safe.

Medication Management

The goal of senior medication management is to positively impact the health outcomes of the patient. It helps us deliver the right medication and the right dosage for you as an individual. Geriatric psychiatry often involves many medications, which requires active engagement in the decision-making process. 

Before we can help with medication management, we must understand the patient’s medication experience, tolerance, resistance, and metabolism. By working with geriatric psychiatry fellowship programs, we make it easier for you to deal with medications and handle them thoroughly.

Depression and Anxiety

Many seniors’ lives have been flipped upside down. They went from being energetic contributors to society and taking care of others to retiring and needing care on a daily basis. 

Depression, fear, and anxiety often set in slowly for seniors, although it sometimes hits them quickly. In addition to these uncomfortable emotions, seniors often experience deteriorating physical health, chronic pain, and medication interactions. 

This combination further contributes to the downward spiral of emotions.

Our team of geriatric psychiatrists and physicians has been specially trained to work with the senior population. We treat every patient with respect, dignity, care, and love.

In fact, geriatric psychiatrists specialize in helping elderly patients deal with their mental health and minimize the issues that stem from their mental disorders.

Dementia

Dementia often sets in faster than we can imagine. In geriatric psychiatry, we often see symptoms that affect memory, thinking, rationalization, and social abilities. Dementia can actually be several diseases affecting the brain at once. It’s important to note, however, that memory loss alone is not an indicator of this condition.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of progressive dementia in seniors, but there are several other causes. Some dementia symptoms may be reversible, depending on the cause. TMS can often help slow down mental deterioration.

Your mental health is important to us. Request an appointment with one of our geriatric psychiatrists today!

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been used in geriatric psychiatry for years. Dr. Alva uses this non-invasive procedure to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms related to brain deterioration, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and PTSD. TMS uses magnetic fields to treat the patient, which means there is no injection or trauma involved. TMS is often used when other forms of treatment have proven to be ineffective.

What's the Difference Between Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia?

This geriatric psychiatry video addresses fears about memory loss and dementia. It also provides practical advice about senior brain health.

Whether our elderly patients use assisted living facilities or live on their own, we make sure our team is trained thoroughly, providing high-quality care.

Mental health is something everyone should deal with, though some have more problems with mental illnesses than others. Older adults often develop late-life mental disorders and require additional psychiatric care. We can help! Mental illness doesn’t have to overcome you!

Why Work with Us?

We specialize in geriatric psychiatry. That means we help older adults deal with medical disorders and mental illnesses. As your geriatric psychiatrists, we will excel at providing extra assistance with your psychiatric disorders.

We offer various treatments and specialty training in geriatric psychiatry. Whether you suffer from sleep disorders, physical disabilities, or need pain management, our geriatric psychiatrists are here to help.

People often have difficulty coping with getting older, and we provide specialized training in a private practice setting to help you deal with old age. 

Contact us to start focusing on your well-being now!

About PNS Geriatric Psychiatry

Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists (PNS) has medical professionals available who offer individualized geriatric psychiatry care. We know how hard it is to seek help, but our team has extensive knowledge of the challenges you’re facing as you age. 

You will work with a geriatric psychiatrist who ensures that your family members understand what you’re going through, and we have the necessary communication skills required to explain your needs in an understandable way.

Your mental health is important, especially if you have a family history of mental health issues. Our geriatric psychiatrists can help you create a treatment plan that meets your needs. Talk therapy is a great choice, but we offer many more options in case you need them.

Geriatric psychiatry is something everyone can benefit from as they get older. Our specialty training is what you need to feel whole again.

Find a geriatric psychiatrist by calling us or using the online form to get started!

Contact Us

We're Here for You!

Please contact us with questions
or requests for an appointment.
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