Preventive Psychiatry in Late Life: Studies on Depression and Dementia from the Singapore Gerontology Research Programme

This overview summarizes the research results on depression and dementia in ethnic Chinese elderly conducted by the Gerontology Research Programme of the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore. Health policies are dependent on information of evidence-based studies and it is of utmost importance to encourage research on preventive psychiatry. Interventional strategies in psycho-social therapy, diet and stability of chronic illnesses like diabetes mellitus and hypertension, are critical in lowering the rates of depression and dementia in late life. The challenge is how to translate research results into public policies. Preventive psychiatry is not just an endeavor from the government but should also from the private sector and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). If measures are taken collectively, it is plausible that the quiet epidemic of elderly depression and dementia this century can be averted. Preventive Psychiatry in Late Life: Studies on Depression and Dementia from the Singapore Gerontology Research Programme