The age of the mind: psychogeriatric programs for seniors at San Raffaele Turro Hospital

“A mental health condition emerging in old age is often misclassified as a primary psychiatric illness (which rarely first appears in late life), when in fact it may involve:

• Isolated symptoms or syndromes;
• Syndromes related to undiagnosed medical conditions, psychological distress, cognitive decline, or the interaction of these elements.

For example, mild declines in cognitive and physical efficiency, combined with increasing performance demands in a rapidly evolving world, may lead to stress-related issues such as sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, or behavioral changes.

In other cases, psychological, physical, or neurocognitive frailty acquired with age may increase the risk of developing a new psychiatric disorder or worsening an existing one,” explains Professor Cavallaro.

As the population continues to age, the clinical relevance of psychogeriatrics becomes increasingly vital. Its main goals are to:

• Identify early signs of psychological distress, psychiatric symptoms, and/or cognitive impairment in as many individuals as possible;
• Offer personalized therapies within a multidisciplinary framework that considers age-related changes in both body and mind, along with the patient’s personality, life history, and environment;
• Help patients restore their individual potential for improved quality of life and functionality.

The psychiatrists, psychologists, and professional educators of the General Psychiatry Rehabilitation Unit at San Raffaele Turro Hospital are dedicated to assessing and treating the medical, cognitive, behavioral, and psychologicaldimensions of elderly patients.

Each care plan is tailored to the individual and is delivered in an integrated, multidisciplinary setting enriched by decades of clinical and research experience in psychiatry, psychology, and rehabilitation.

“Within our hospital, we offer both outpatient care, initiated either from a psychological or psychiatric standpoint, and inpatient services (under the Italian National Health System or privately), when more complex rehabilitation programs are needed or when the patient requires continuous presence in a therapeutic setting,” explains Professor Cavallaro.

Telemedicine consultations are also available.

The Main Conditions Treated

The Unit mainly treats the following conditions within the scope of psychogeriatrics:

• Depressive disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Psychotic syndromes
• Alcohol dependence
• Organic mental disorders

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Tools

To carry out its mission, the Unit uses clinically validated and precise diagnostic tools, including:

• Neuropsychological and psychological testing
• Electroencephalogram (EEG)
• CT scan (Computed Tomography)
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
• PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography)
• Geriatric and neurological consultation

Therapeutic tools include:

• Cognitive training exercises
• Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Psychoeducational interventions

“The integration of multiple disciplines into a single care team and the ability to deliver diverse, coordinated interventions that address various aspects of patient distress significantly increase the likelihood of clinical improvement and better quality of life, because old age should not mean giving up," concludes Professor Cavallaro.