Despite the promulgation of state and federal regulations mandating psychiatric services and freedom from chemical and physical restraints for residents of long-term care facilities, there exist significant barriers to the delivery of care. Under-recognition and misdiagnosis of psychiatric illness in the elderly may lead to increased functional impairment and possible increased mortality. Development of a focused psychopharmacology practice can aid in the recognition and treatment of psychiatric illness and improved patient outcomes in the long-term care setting.
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