An ageing world population
One reason for the ageing world population is an increase in life expectancy from improved treatment and access to health care. In Switzerland, the number of people aged 65 and older increased by 100% in the past 40 years and is expected to reach 32% of the country’s total population by 2050. Today, Switzerland has over 1.5 million people aged 65 years and older.[1]
Ageing has a major impact on mental health. The prevalence of some mental disorders tends to increase with age. Depression and dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, affects a significant number of people over 65 and represents a major public health issue.
Ambulatory care for seniors
The Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Service for the Elderly provides:
- Individual psychiatric follow-up and psychotherapy
- Couples/family therapy
- Support through critical life cycle stages (retirement, loss, unemployment, acceptance of ageing, etc.)
- Support for family caregivers
Based on needs, consultations may take place at:
- Les Toises
- At the health or social services institution where the patient lives
- At the referring department (hospital, health or social services centre, etc.)
- At the patient’s home
Our care approach is multidisciplinary. With the patient’s consent, our team of specialists will work very closely with everyone involved (patient, family, loved ones, treating doctor, health care services, and the health and social services network) to get the best results possible.
The therapist will identify the best care measures to reduce mental and/or physical suffering for patients, their families, and anyone involved in their care.
Our main care models
Since mental health results from interconnected biological, psychological, and social factors, the Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Service for the Elderly works with different care models to better understand and treat mental illnesses and disorders:
- Social psychiatry
- Crisis intervention
- Liaison work
- Rehabilitation
The goal of these approaches is to prevent the onset or aggravation of mental disorders and reduce or limit their adverse impact on patients, their family members, or professionals. These models are based on the most recent developments in the treatment or care of people with mental disorders or illnesses.
Mental disorders and illnesses treated
- Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia
- Anxiety disorders
- Addiction disorders (dependencies)
- Mood disorders (burnout, depression, bipolar disorders)
- Disorders related to stress factors (post-traumatic stress disorder)
- Personality disorders
- Sleep disorders
- Persistent somatoform pain disorder and other somatoform disorders
- Eating disorders
- Addiction disorders
- Schizophrenia and other types of psychosis
Obsessive-compulsive disorders
- Sexual disorders
- Mental disorders that affect seniors
Promoting seniors’ mental health
In addition to its clinical mission, the Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Service for the Elderly strives to improve the mental health of seniors as per national health care programmes and policies (e.g. National Dementia Strategy 2014-2017, the mental health policy of the Canton of Vaud, the healthy ageing policy of the Canton of Vaud). Our staff have ongoing contact with the community sector and contribute to their prevention, screening, training, and rehabilitation efforts.
[1] Swiss Confederation. Federal Department of Home Affairs. Federal Office of Public Health. La démence – un défi pour la politique sociale et de la santé. FOPH, Berne, 2011.
