Geriatric Psychiatry Treatments and Services

Initial evaluation

Your initial evaluation helps us understand the factors contributing to your overall condition. During this evaluation, we will:

  • Interview you and your family, if warranted and allowed, to gather a detailed history of symptoms
  • Review your medical records
  • Perform a neurological or cognitive test, if warranted
  • Refer you to other providers or specialists, and for additional testing if warranted
  • Discuss the optimal plan for follow-up to ensure an accurate diagnosis and comprehensive treatment

Treatments

As part of the initial evaluation or during the follow-up process, we may discuss, recommend, and refer you for the following treatments:

  • Medications: We can help decide if certain types of medications may be helpful in managing your symptoms.
  • Psychotherapy: We can help determine if a referral for psychotherapy, either within Dartmouth Health or in the community, would be beneficial for your symptoms.
  • Referrals: We may recommend referrals for physical, occupational, and speech therapy for various conditions and symptoms.
  • Interventional psychiatry: We may recommend referrals to consider interventional treatments for certain psychiatric conditions, including electroconvulsive therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and esketamine.
  • Lecanamab: We may work with suitable patients to consider using lecanamab, a treatment that can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Testing

As part of the initial evaluation or during the follow-up process, we may refer you for the following additional testing:

  • Genetic testing
  • Laboratory testing
  • Neuroimaging
  • Neuropsychological testing