[Dementia in the elderly. A 3-year project].

In order to meet the need of proper examination and treatment of memory problems in the elderly a specialized unit of psychogeriatrics has been established as a pilot project. In the period from September 1986 to April 1988, 146 persons were examined, 42% as outpatients and 58% as inpatients. The average age was 75.3 years. 54% had dementia senilis and 16% other sorts of dementia. 30% were not demented: 14% had a psychiatric illness, 8% organic damage or illness of the brain and 7% were confused. Overdose or wrong use of psychopharmacological drugs was a frequent problem, and cutting out the medication, regulating the dose, or changing to another medicine had surprising consequences. The further treatment was planned in cooperation with the patient's family and the community health service. A follow-up after nine months indicated that this was a positive procedure for the patients, and that the unit was a professional resource to the local health services in the whole district. The hospital has now been allocated funds from the Government to function as a competence centre for part of Eastern Norway.