1. AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY Geriatrics and Mental Health - The Facts http://www.aagpgpa.org/prof/facts_mh.asp <http://www.aagpgpa.org/prof/facts_mh.asp> This fact sheet gives statistics on mental health issues affecting the elderly. 2. AMERICAN FAMILY PHYSICIAN The Geriatric Patient: A Systematic Approach to Maintaining Health http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000215/1089.html <http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000215/1089.html> This article reviews assessment tools and techniques for health screening of the elderly. Screening tools include the Mini-Mental State, the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale, and the Checklist of Assessment Areas for Maintaining Healthy Geriatric Patients. 3. CLINICAL GERIATRICS Failure to Adequately Detect Suicidal Intent in Elderly Patients in the Primary Care Setting http://www.mmhc.com/cg/articles/CG0101/blank.html <http://www.mmhc.com/cg/articles/CG0101/blank.html> Elderly mentally ill persons are less likely than any other age group to receive needed psychiatric treatment even though they are the highest risk group for committing suicide. 4. CLINICAL GERIATRICS Choosing Appropriate Treatment for Geriatric Depression http://www.mmhc.com/cg/articles/CG0105/lavretsky.html <http://www.mmhc.com/cg/articles/CG0105/lavretsky.html> Early diagnosis and treatment of late-life depression in the elderly reduces suffering, helps in suicide prevention, restores optimal levels of function and independence, and decreases the societal cost of health care. 5. MERCK MANUAL OF GERIATRICS Legal and Ethical Issues http://www.merck.com/pubs/mm_geriatrics/sec1/ch14.htm <http://www.merck.com/pubs/mm_geriatrics/sec1/ch14.htm> The manual discusses assessment of decisional capacity and competence, identification of decision makers, resolution of conflicts about care, disclosure of information, termination of treatment at the end of life, and decisions about long-term care. 6. EMEDICINE Elder Abuse http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic160.htm <http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic160.htm> The authors identify seven categories of elder abuse and provide questions that can be used to elicit information about abuse. 7. JOURNAL OF COUNSELING AND DEVELOPMENT Ethical Guidelines for Counselors Working With Older Adults http://www.counseling.org/members/journals/jcd_spring00.pdf <http://www.counseling.org/members/journals/jcd_spring00.pdf> This article examines the needs of older adults with cognitive impairments or terminal illness or who are the victims of abuse and proposes guidelines for counselors working with such clients. (The Adobe Reader is needed. Document may be slow to load. Scroll to the first article.) 8. ANNALS OF LONG-TERM CARE Neglect and Self-Neglect of the Elderly in Long-Term Care http://www.mmhc.com/nhm/articles/NHM0102/reyesortiz.html <http://www.mmhc.com/nhm/articles/NHM0102/reyesortiz.html> Self-neglect in the elderly is described as a heterogeneous geriatric entity. Other names used for it are Diogenes syndrome (DS), aged reclusion, social breakdown of the elderly, and squalor syndrome. Edward E. Rylander, M.D. Diplomat American Board of Family Practice. Diplomat American Board of Palliative Medicine.