General hospital geriatric psychiatric treatment: a follow-up study.

Fifty-two patients previously treated and discharged from an acute-care general hospital ward were followed up for an average of 30.5 months. The results show that while it is true that depressive episodes in the elderly are often easily and rapidly treated, many of these patients do poorly in the long term for a variety of reasons related to depressive dysphoria, organic brain syndrome, and physical disability. Depressive or dysphoric relapse in the community seems to go largely unrecognized. It is suggested that follow-up must be done soon after discharge to prevent the high level of rejection of the treatment team that may occur once the patient loses contact. Follow-up must in part be done initially through home visits, and a firm institutional liaison established for the large group that will need ongoing care.