Older adults with psychosis: A case for family interventions

摘要

The NICE Schizophrenia 2009 guidelines recommend family interventions for service users with an illness onset before 60 years. This study investigated the provision of family interventions in psychosis (FIp), irrespective of illness onset age, across two community mental health teams for older adults. Explanations from care coordinators about offering FIp were also examined. Service users diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders comprised approximately 10% of the team's caseload, of which 40% were reported as having a carer. None of the identified service users with carers had been offered FIp. Service user symptoms and engagement difficulties were identified by care coordinators as the main reasons for why they were not considered suitable for FIp. The findings highlight a potential unmet clinical need for a subgroup of carers of older adults with psychosis.