Psychiatry in the nursing home.

After facts were presented revealing a need for psychiatric services to nursing homes, the historical development of the nursing home was discussed. Relationships between society's expectations and government policy were described, as were three key variables that interact in the placement and care of a resident in a long-term care facility. An interdisciplinary approach to resident care was presented, along with a discussion of sexuality. Various functions of the psychiatric consultant were examined. Teaching and training, rather than taking over roles of the staff were emphasized.