[Evaluation of day clinic treatment in geriatric psychiatry].

Experiences with day hospitals for elderly patients in various countries have led to differing views regarding specific indications for this particular treatment mode. In a series of investigations we tried to clarify the place of a day hospital for elderly patients which is an integrated part of a psychiatric hospital within the total of psychiatric care of the elderly. As a result we are able to demonstrate a spectrum of indications for psychogeriatric day hospital treatment far broader than mentioned in the majority of the relevant literature of the UK and the Netherlands e.g. In this particular setting it is possible to give treatment not only to patients with dementia of differing degree but also to mild or moderately disturbed affective or schizophrene psychoses. Thus the psychogeriatric day hospital can be demonstrated to be a necessary link within the chain of psychiatric care of the elderly.