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Abstract

The proportion of elderly adults with severe mental illness (SMI) has risen considerably in past years yet goes unaddressed by the majority of experts and government organizations. Psychogeriatric patients face multiple obstacles in care, including loss of motivation and shortage of resources as well as a critical lack of education regarding mental issues on the part of medical staff. These individuals are also at an adverse risk of developing coexisting conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. The question of how facilities and caretakers can create effective and financially viable care has is brought up in this paper through a literature search of multiple fields of practice in caring for elderly patients. Some of the solutions discussed in the following review include a focus on decreasing unmet needs of patients, emphasizing the practice of mindfulness meditation, adapting medical first aid teams and patient-centered care models, the allocation of government funding to fix resource shortages, and the creation of mental health networks to facilitate well-rounded care. The most effective course of action chosen after the literature review is to incorporate Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training programs to help better educate students and staff on topics of SMI and SMI-related care.

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