Begin Journey

Specialized Psychiatric Care for Older Adults — Delivered with Dignity

Aging brings unique mental health challenges that deserve specialized, respectful expertise. At Flourishington, our Geriatric Psychiatry service provides older adults with compassionate, evidence-based psychiatric care that accounts for the physical, cognitive, and emotional complexities of late life — because every stage of life deserves to flourish.

Request a Consult See What We Treat
Service Includes
  • Late-Life Depression & AnxietySpecialized treatment for mood and anxiety disorders common in older adults.
  • Sleep Disorder EvaluationAssessment and treatment of insomnia, hypersomnia, and sleep-related disturbances.
  • Mild Cognitive Concern ScreeningEarly detection and monitoring of memory changes and cognitive decline.
  • Caregiver Support & GuidanceEducating and supporting family members and caregivers throughout treatment.
Response within 24 hours of your intake request. Sensitive, specialized care for every older adult.
Specialized Late-Life Care
PMHNP-BC Certified Provider
About This Service

What Is Geriatric Psychiatry at Flourishington?

Geriatric psychiatry is the specialized branch of mental health care focused on the unique psychiatric needs of older adults. As people age, mental health presentations become more complex — influenced by physical health conditions, polypharmacy risks, cognitive changes, grief, loss, social isolation, and the profound life transitions that characterize late life. Standard psychiatric approaches are not always appropriate or safe for this population.

At Flourishington, David Fowope, PMHNP-BC approaches geriatric psychiatric care with the depth, patience, and clinical sensitivity this population deserves. We take extra care to evaluate how physical health conditions interact with mental health, how medications affect the aging body differently, and how social and environmental factors contribute to late-life psychiatric presentations.

We also recognize that family members and caregivers are essential partners in the care of older adults. We actively involve and educate the people who support our patients — because connected, informed family care leads to better outcomes for everyone involved.

Conditions We Treat in Older Adults

Late-Life Depression

Persistent sadness, withdrawal, hopelessness, and loss of pleasure that often goes undiagnosed in older adults.

Late-Life Anxiety

Excessive worry, panic, phobias, and anxiety disorders that emerge or worsen with aging and health changes.

Sleep Disorders

Insomnia, hypersomnia, REM sleep behavior disorder, and other sleep disturbances common in late life.

Mild Cognitive Concerns

Early memory changes, word-finding difficulties, and cognitive decline that warrant evaluation and monitoring.

Behavioral Changes

Irritability, agitation, personality shifts, and behavioral disturbances that may signal underlying psychiatric or neurological issues.

Grief & Adjustment

Complex grief, bereavement, and adjustment difficulties following loss of a spouse, independence, or physical health.

Why Geriatric Psychiatry Requires Specialized Expertise

  • Older adults metabolize medications differently — requiring careful, conservative dosing
  • Physical conditions (heart disease, diabetes, arthritis) frequently overlap with psychiatric symptoms
  • Polypharmacy risks require thorough medication review and careful drug interaction assessment
  • Depression and anxiety in older adults are frequently misattributed to "normal aging" and left untreated
  • Family and caregiver involvement is often essential for effective treatment and safety monitoring

Quick Facts

  • Who Is It ForOlder Adults & Seniors
  • Session Length60 – 90 Minutes
  • ProviderDavid Fowope, PMHNP-BC
  • Response TimeWithin 24 Hours
  • Caregiver IncludedYes — By Request
  • PrivacyHIPAA Compliant

Ready for Specialized Late-Life Care?

Submit your intake request today. Our clinical coordinator will reach out within 24 hours to schedule your geriatric psychiatric consultation.

Request a Consult

Other Services

How It Works

What to Expect Step by Step

Our geriatric psychiatric care is structured to move at a pace that is comfortable for older adults — thorough, unhurried, and always respectful of dignity and autonomy.

01
Intake

Submit Your Request & Include Caregiver Information

Complete our intake form on behalf of yourself or your loved one. Let us know about any existing providers, current medications, primary concerns, and whether a caregiver or family member will be involved in care. Our coordinator will contact you within 24 hours to schedule and prepare you for your first appointment.

02
Evaluate

Comprehensive Geriatric Psychiatric Evaluation

David Fowope, PMHNP-BC conducts a thorough evaluation specifically designed for older adults — covering psychiatric history, current symptoms, cognitive function, sleep patterns, physical health conditions, current medications, and social supports. Family members or caregivers are welcome and encouraged to participate in this initial evaluation.

03
Review

Medication Safety Review & Polypharmacy Assessment

For older adults, medication safety is paramount. We conduct a thorough review of all current medications — psychiatric and non-psychiatric — to identify potential interactions, inappropriate dosing for the aging body, and opportunities to simplify or optimize the medication regimen. No new psychiatric medication is prescribed without this comprehensive safety review.

04
Plan

Personalized Treatment Plan with Caregiver Guidance

We develop a personalized treatment plan that accounts for the unique complexity of late-life psychiatric care — including medication recommendations (with age-appropriate conservative dosing), non-pharmacological strategies, referrals to geriatric specialists when needed, and a structured plan for caregiver education and support.

05
Monitor

Ongoing Follow-Up, Monitoring & Care Coordination

Geriatric psychiatric care requires consistent monitoring as health status, cognitive function, and social circumstances evolve. We schedule regular follow-ups, maintain active communication with your primary care physician and specialists, and adjust treatment as needed — ensuring your care remains appropriate, safe, and effective across every stage of late life.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age does someone qualify for Geriatric Psychiatry services?
While geriatric psychiatry traditionally focuses on adults 65 and older, at Flourishington we evaluate each patient individually. Adults in their late 50s or early 60s who are experiencing age-related health changes, early cognitive concerns, or late-life psychiatric presentations may also benefit from our geriatric-focused approach. If you are unsure whether geriatric psychiatry is appropriate, contact us — our clinical coordinator will help determine the best fit during your intake call.
Can a family member or caregiver attend the appointment?
Yes — and for many older adult patients, we actively encourage it. Family members and caregivers often provide valuable collateral information that enhances diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning. With the patient's consent, a trusted family member or caregiver may attend part or all of the appointment. We also offer separate caregiver education sessions to help families better understand the patient's diagnosis, treatment plan, and how to provide effective, supportive care at home.
Is depression in older adults just a normal part of aging?
Absolutely not — and this is one of the most harmful misconceptions in late-life mental health care. Depression is never a normal or inevitable part of aging. It is a treatable medical condition that, when left unaddressed in older adults, significantly increases risk of cognitive decline, physical health deterioration, social withdrawal, and in severe cases, suicidal ideation. At Flourishington, we take every presentation of late-life depression seriously and treat it with the same clinical urgency we would at any other life stage.
How is medication prescribed differently for older adults?
Older adults metabolize medications more slowly and are significantly more sensitive to side effects — particularly sedation, falls risk, cognitive effects, and cardiac impacts. We follow the principle of "start low, go slow" — beginning with lower doses than typically used in younger adults and titrating very gradually. We also carefully review all existing medications for interactions and avoid medications on the Beers Criteria list, which identifies potentially inappropriate medications for older adults. Safety is always the first priority in every prescribing decision we make.
Can you help if my loved one is resistant to seeking psychiatric help?
This is one of the most common challenges families face. Many older adults carry significant stigma around mental health care and may resist the idea of seeing a psychiatrist. We recommend starting by framing the appointment as a general wellness or medication review — which it genuinely is. We also offer a preliminary consultation with caregivers or family members alone to help them understand how to gently encourage their loved one and what to expect. Our approach with reluctant patients is always patient, non-confrontational, and deeply respectful of their autonomy and dignity.
What is the difference between normal memory changes and early dementia?
Normal age-related memory changes include occasionally forgetting a name but remembering it later, misplacing items sometimes, or taking a little longer to recall information. Concerning signs that warrant evaluation include: frequently forgetting recent events or important dates, getting lost in familiar places, difficulty following conversations or instructions, significant personality or behavior changes, or repeating the same questions or stories within minutes. Our cognitive screening during a geriatric psychiatric evaluation can help distinguish normal aging from mild cognitive impairment or early dementia — and connect you with the right specialists if needed.
Specialized Late-Life Care

Every Stage of Life Deserves to Flourish

Submit your intake request today. Our clinical coordinator will reach out within 24 hours to schedule a geriatric psychiatric consultation — for you or your loved one — with David Fowope, PMHNP-BC.

Request a Consult View All Services
Trusted Care Standards & Credentials