The Faculty of Old Age Psychiatry welcomes this report and acknowledges the contribution that pharmacists can and do make in treating mental health conditions.
"As the numbers of older adults in the population is increasing, we are seeing an increase in the number of older people living with mental conditions. As this report highlights, often older people will have a number of different physical illnesses alongside their mental health conditions. It follows that health professionals, including the pharmacist, should be working together collaboratively, integrating different services to provide the best possible advice and support to meet these complex needs.
Older people with mental health issues benefit from early recognition of their symptoms and prompt referrals to the best services to provide support and treatment.
Pharmacists are uniquely well-placed to spot mental health issues such as depression or dementia as they see people with long-term conditions on a regular basis."
Dr Amanda Thompsell FRCPsych, Chair, Royal College of Psychiatry’s Faculty of Old Age Psychiatry