Department of Gerontopsychiatry

Not the individualÕs age but rather their specific psychological complain is in the center of intention at the Fliedner Krankenhaus. Therefore you will find people of all ages on all the specialised wards. In addition, however, we have developed disturbance-specific offerings according to the state of knowledge in the field. Since April 2005 the Fliedner Krankenhaus also maintains a special department for the treatment of dementia disorders. Since dementia primarily occurs in advanced age, older people are primarily treated on this ward.

Dementia can have various causes. The probably best known and most frequent is Alzheimer's disease. Apart from this disease, there are many additional disorders which cause similar symptoms such as increasing forgetfulness and the loss of orientation in time, space, and situation. It is therefore all the more urgent to make a differentiated diagnosis. Imaging processes are applied as well as laboratory tests and psychological tests. Observations in therapy and care complete the overall picture. External consulting doctors are integrated in the diagnostics for special topics.

 

 Our range of treatments is supported in four significant aspects:

• activating care
• medications
• aftercare/counselling
• occupational and sociotherapy 

An individual treatment plan is created for every patient. Our therapeutic goal is the preservation and support of existing resources and the improvement of symptoms which frequently accompany dementia illness.

Medications
From today's point of view, effective medications are an essential part in the complex treatment of dementia. We take care to use preparations which are especially free of side effects.

Activating care
A central role in the treatment is the principle of Activating Care. Understood as "help as self-help", special value is placed on the preservation of life-skill capabilities. 

Occupational and social-therapy
Regular rounds of talks are an important integrating component promoting general orientation. They connect daily to the offerings from the ergo, social or music therapy .

Aftercare
The support and care of dementia patients in their own four walls is often both a enormous task and often very difficult. Upon request, we develop together with patients and their relatives an aftercare programme tailored to the personal needs. We convey outpatient and psychiatrically-oriented care service as well as self-help groups of the Alzheimer Society and other help offerings in the region. If required, we furthermore help in the search for suitable accommodations, discuss legal questions and topics of long-term care insurance.

Furthermore we conduct intensive educational work on the topic of dementia in the form of lectures and information sessions.

Contact
 

Dr. med. M. Schifferdecker
Head physician
Tel: (02102) 303-301

T. Mohr
Senior physician
Tel: (02102) 303-381