THE ELDERLY CHRONIC-SCHIZOPHRENIC INPATIENT - A STUDY OF PSYCHIATRIC MORBIDITY IN ELDERLY GRADUATES

This study surveyed all chronic schizophrenic patients from 11 long-st ay wards of a mental hospital. Patients were assessed on a variety of rating scales to assess clinical psychopathology and behaviour. Patien ts above the age of 65 years were studied in detail and also compared with those under that age living on the same wards. It was found that all the elderly schizophrenic patients in the sample had severe defici ts in the form of residual negative symptoms and thought disorder. The y had significantly fewer positive but more negative symptoms as compa red to a younger sample on the same wards; there was no differences be tween the groups for affective symptoms or thought disorder. Although there were more males in the sample, no difference was found on any of the parameters between the two sexes. It was concluded that there are significant clinical differences in the 'elderly graduates' as compar ed to younger patients living in an identical environment; such findin gs could assist managers and administrators in the development of plan s for other patients in this age group who are likely to be relocated from psychiatric hospitals in the near future or are already living in the community.