Schizophrenia in the elderly: what nurses need to know.

ABSTRACT

People age 65 and older with schizophrenia comprise a small but growing number of the mentally ill that nurses, especially those who work in nursing homes, care for. Elderly schizophrenics are a heterogeneous group. They are subject to all of the chronic and acute illnesses common to elderly persons. In addition, their medical problems are frequently overlooked and are difficult to treat. As many as 50% of them have tardive dyskinesia, which has potentially fatal consequences, especially in the elderly.