Psychogeriatric patients: their supporters' problems.

The main supporters of 62 patients admitted to a psychogeriatric ward were interviewed to determine the number and nature of problems and how well these problems were tolerated. The problems affecting the supporters' personal and social life were common but well tolerated. The behavioural problems of the patient were multiple and less well tolerated. The age and sex of the patient or supporter were not significant but supporters who lived alone with the patient had a higher tolerance than those in larger households. The results are compared with Sanford's study of geriatric admissions. The implications of the study point to the need for earlier intervention.