A Government order number 2587/71-3-05-KG-45/2000T.C. dated August 18, 2005 separating Geriatric Mental Health Unit functioning in the Department of Psychiatry, King George's Medical University and converting it into a statutory Department of Geriatric Mental Health within the Medical University made the beginning of an era in the treatment and care of geriatric psychiatric patients in the country.
First of its kind in the country, the department was inaugurated by Hon'ble Chief Minister of the State, Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav on August 20th, 2005 in the presence of Hon'ble Vice Chancellor of the Medical University faculty members and a number dignitaries invited to witness the historic event.
On the recommendations of Board of Studies of the Department of Psychiatry and Faculty Board of Studies of the Medical University, Dr. S. C. Tiwari, Professor in Neuropsychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry, was appointed Head, of the newly created department as contained in the Registrar's Office memorandum no. 444 dated 18-03-2005.
Like most developed countries in the world, India with a proportion of nearly 8% senior citizens in the population has fallen in the category of greying country. This proportion is expected to escalate to 11.8% by 2015 and to 18.4% by the year 2025. In view of the alarming increase in the elderly population associated with high risk and higher prevalence of neuropsychiatric problems in them, the need for the establishment of speciality services, has become in preventive. The mental health problems of elderly should no more be considered as extension of neuropsychiatric problems as amongst adults since now it is proved in several researches that they are different. Thus there is a need to develop the facilities for clinical, academic and research activities exclusively dedicated to elderlies. There are departments of Geriatric Psychiatry in almost all the premier hospitals and teaching institutions of the world. The solo concerted effort of Dr. S. C. Tiwari has made this dream come true at this premier institute of the country.
After a decade of persuasion, the Department of Geriatric Mental Health was recognized by Medical Council of India and Government of India by Gazette Notification Number 312 Dated December 8, 2010 as a superspeciality academic department and one seat was approved by Medical Council of India to start teaching and training for award of DM (Geriatric Mental Health) degree for academic session 2011-12. The seats are likely to be increased to four in academic session 2012-13. The eligibility qualification is MD Psychiatry/ Psychological Medicine or equivalent qualification duly recognized by Medical Council of India.
The recently established superspeciality Department of Geriatric Mental Health provides specialty clinical services to the elderly which includes rehabilitative and tertiary services on "out" as well as "in" patient basis. A community outreach programmes has been initiated to reduce the burden of care providers caring for the geriatric patients. Out-patient, In-patient, emergency and intensive care services are available. A State of Art National Centre for Geriatric Electroconvulsive Therapy has also been established which is providing ECT services to older adults. The department new functions as a platform for capacity building in the form of providing teaching and training to medical and paramedical personnel for the overall care of geriatric mental patients.