A screening project for the geriatric mentally ill. Appraisals to determine suitable care facilities.

The Geriatric Screening Project, the purpose of which is to determine whether referred patients can be dealt with by some means of care less drastic than commitment to a state hospital, has significantly reduced commitments from San Francisco. Geriatric commitments previously numbered almost 500 a year. In its first three calendar years, 1,290 persons were directly served by the project. The commitments dropped successively in the three years to 40, to 12 and then to three. The project has demonstrated that vast reductions of geriatric commitments can be achieved with enlightened screening and recommendations before resort to petition for mental illness is considered. Essential to the dramatic success are home visits, supportive community resources and a dedicated staff unafraid to meet the depressing needs of old people.