Geriatric mental health services research: Strategic plan for an aging population - Report of the Health Services Work Group of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry

In November 1999, a working group of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP) convened to consider strategic recommendations for devel oping geriatric mental health services research as a scientific discipline. The resulting consensus statement summarizes the principles guiding mental health services research on late-life mental disorders, presents timely an d topical priorities for investigation with the potential to benefit the li ves of older adults and their families, and articulates a systematic progra m for expanding the supply of well-trained geriatric mental health services researchers. The agenda presented here is designed to address critical que stions in provision of effective mental health care to an aging population and the health policies that govern its delivery.