Geriatric Psychiatry and Dementia Diseases

Geriatric Psychiatry and Dementia Diseases is organized by Evidence Based Sweden AB, Physicians' Institute for Professional Development in Healthcare / Lakarnas institut for professionell utveckling i sjukvarden (LIPUS) and will be held from Oct 08 - 10, 2025 at Elite Hotel Marina Plaza, Helsingborg, Helsingborg, Scania, Sweden.

Description:
This course develops the ST doctor's knowledge to become better at helping the disadvantaged group of elderly people with mental illnesses and dementia.

Approximately 20 percent of all older people suffer from mental illness. In the near future, 25 percent of all Swedes will be 65 years and older, making mental illness one of our largest public health problems. There will be higher demands on psychiatric support within primary care and social services for this group.

Several regions currently lack specific psychiatric services for the elderly, and many lack residential support and daily activities for people over 65. Most elderly people who became ill after the age of 65 do not have access to psychiatric expertise or talk therapy. The proportion of people aged 80 and older who are on three or more psychotropic medications varies across the country, but amounts to between 2 and 11 percent.

The mental health of older people is shaped by both aging changes in the brain and the changing life situation. The diseases manifest themselves differently and are also affected by physical diseases and cognitive disorders. The diagnosis is based on the latest manual DSM-5. The course explains relevant epidemiological and demographic data about cognitive disorders.

Overall goals:
Conduct a diagnostic investigation and treatment. Select and justify the choice of pharmacological treatment methods for older people with cognitive disorders.

Results for the participant
After the course, the participant should

• be able to account for the underlying mechanisms for the onset of mental illnesses and the treatment of the illnesses,
• have knowledge of methods for investigating and determining the patient's cognitive function,
• be able to account for the coordination and follow-up of treatment and rehabilitation efforts,
• be able to reflect on differential diagnostics between internal medicine and neurological and mental illnesses.
  Furthermore, the doctor should be able to
  a. describe neurodegenerative diseases with an emphasis on important dementia conditions.
  b. describe the diagnosis and management of patients with mental illness and concomitant cognitive disorder.