THE FUTURE OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY

The author first reviews some of the main forces and historical develo pments that have shaped the young specialty of geriatric psychiatry. E mphasis is placed on the integrative and collaborative nature of the p sychiatry of old age. This includes its relationship with the parent f ield of psychiatry, geriatric medicine and the broader field of geront ology. An outline of the future for the field is presented which highl ights the need for academic credibility and responsiveness to service delivery issues. Because future trends in mental health delivery are l ikely to continue to give priority to the severely mentally ill and to emphasize cost-effectiveness, geriatric psychiatrists are well poised to meet the challenges of the coming generation. However, a strong fu ture depends ultimately on the ability of the field to recruit bright young psychiatrists who bring inquisitiveness, enthusiasm and a social commitment to a vulnerable elderly population.