Creating comprehensive gero-psychiatric care in the community.

The aged increasingly need a comprehensive system, a central access point, and coordinated care in order for their acute and chronic, health and mental health needs to be met. This research reviews and analyzes the structure, function, and operation of a model demonstration geriatric emergency service which functioned as an access point and coordinator of care for the elderly in a network of health, mental health, and long term care services. The findings of this study indicate the important contribution a geriatric emergency service can make to creating comprehensive gero-psychiatric care in the community.