It is important to promote a better understanding of psychosocial factors on seniors’ mental health. Due to the change in our society of family units, whether due to poor relationships, intense working situations, or distance, many of our aging population with mental health issues are left to fend for themselves - and are unable to do so.

By promoting increased integration of psychosocial and community approaches into the bio-psychosocial model of seniors’ mental health, we can assist them in their care and safety. These goals are achieved by influencing practice, policy and research through the work as an interest group, and by collaborating with others - the patient, family members, physicians and specially trained case workers.

The problems that you may have witnessed in this arena may be related to dementia, alzheimers, and long-term psychiatric matters. Trouble can arise with memory loss, panic, and fear. Although some cognitive functions decline as a normal course of aging, loss of mental functioning may be reversible when diagnosed and treated by professionals. A common late life mental health condition is depression and is treatable. Dementia can be created by prescription drug interactions or as a result of arteriosclerosis and can in some cases, be reversed.

Carrie Hill, PhD, the Alzheimer's Disease Guide from About.com states Alzheimers' as a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain that leads to dementia. "Many think that Alzheimer's disease and dementia are the same thing, but Alzheimer's is actually the most common cause of dementia. While everyone who has Alzheimer's develops dementia, not everyone who develops dementia has Alzheimer's disease."

It is important to remember that medication compliance can be essential in assisting with effective treatment. Family members can be supportive by keeping their loved ones involved in their own care as long as possible, knowing what medications are being taken, what concerns they have, and being patient while observing any changes experienced. Make sure also, for yourself or your loved one that you keep the physician aware of any new changes. Ie: hallucinations, increased forgetfulness, unusual or bizarre behaviour, violence, increased depressive symptoms and/or weakness. Keeping up with scheduled physicals, lab work and any other medical diagnoses is equally important because some symptoms can mimic psychosis and cause altered mental status, such as a change in blood sugar levels, an overactive or deficient thyroid, cancer, dehydration and possibly organ failure.