In this review we examined the involuntary admissions to a purpose-built Psychiatry of Old Age (POA) specialist unit under the care of the North Dublin Psychiatry Of Old Age Service, Dublin, Ireland.

Our objectives were to examine the source of referral, progress in hospital and outcomes of all involuntary admissions, under the Irish Mental Health Act, to this Psychiatry of Old Age specialist inpatient unit over a one year period. All patients were divided into two groups, those who were diagnosed with Dementia and those patients who had a functional mental illness. We specifically examined the characteristics of both groups to identify any differences their outcomes.

A retrospective chart review of all involuntary admissions over a one year period from January 1st 2008 to December 31st 2008 was conducted.

67% of all admissions to the Psychiatry of Old Age unit during 2008 were involuntary admissions. The detained patients were mostly male (71.4%).

The most common diagnoses were Alzheimer's Dementia (38.1%), Dementia Mixed Aetiology (14.3%) and Psychotic Illness (14.3%).

88.2% of Patients who had a diagnosis of Dementia required Long Term Care at the end of their admission, but only 25% of those patients who had a Functional Mental Illness were transferred for Long Term Care at discharge.

Patients with dementia had significantly longer involuntary admissions than patients with affective or psychotic disorders. Patients with dementia were also more likely to require long-term care on discharge than those patients who did not have dementia.