Geriatric psychiatry, also known as geropsychiatry, psychogeriatrics or psychiatry of old age, is a subspecialty of psychiatry dealing with the study, prevention, and treatment of mental disorders in humans with old age.[1][2][3] After a 4 year residency in psychiatry, a psychiatrist can complete a one year fellowship in geriatric psychiatry. As the population ages, particularly in developing countries this field is becoming more needed. The diagnosis, treatment and management of dementia and depression[4] are two areas of this field.
The American Association For Geriatric Psychiatry is the national organization representing health care providers specializing in late life mental disorders. The International Psychogeriatric Association is an international community of scientists and healthcare geriatric professionals working for mental health in aging.[5] Psychogeriatrics is the official journal of the International Psychogeriatric Association.[6] Many fellowships in geriatric psychaitry exist.[7] The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry[8] is the official journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP).[9] The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology issues a board certification in geriatric psychaitry.[10] Geriatric psychiatry is an official subspeciality in psychiatry with a defined curriculum of study and core competencies.