The Emirates Health Services (EHS) has launched UAE’s first treatment specialty for inpatient mental health of senior citizens at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital.

The opening of one of its kind unit is in line with the UAE leadership's vision aimed at improving the quality of life for senior citizens while helping their integration into social life while supporting their capabilities despite of all the psychological limitations. The new treatment unit will serve senior citizens suffering from psychological disorders and also those who require hospitalisation for evaluation and treatment.

The facility will be managed by a highly qualified multidisciplinary team, including a leading group of psychological and social specialists. They will be supported by the cooperation between the EHS and Maudsley Health, which is one of the oldest and central psychological treatment institutions across the globe.

Dr Youssef Mohammed Al Serkal, director-general of EHS, said: “The EHS is very keen to provide exceptional healthcare to senior citizens in accordance with the directives of the wise leadership, to improve their quality of life, enhance the public awareness of their health and psychological needs, launch initiatives and projects that focus on promoting their mental health." Al Serkal noted that senior citizens are being provided with easy access to various services at Al Amal Hospital. The hospital has international accreditation, the first of its kind in the region. He further stressed on the importance of bolstering partnerships both locally and globally with centres leading in the field of mental health for the senior citizens.

Dr Amna Turki Al Ali, director of Al Amal Hospital, highlighted the most common mental illnesses among the elderly which include depression, anxiety and Alzheimer’s, adding they result from weak cognitive abilities. “We are working to make the most of appropriate behavioural and pharmacological treatments to provide a supportive environment that makes the elderly feel confident, reassured and safe," she said.

Dr Noor Al Muhairi, director of the EHS Department of Mental Health, said, “Introducing a new therapeutic unit for senior citizens will improve the mental health services provided. Moreover, it will also help deal with physiological and psychological changes in the ageing stage, by evaluating patient’s behaviour and awareness, remedial procedures, effective care methods, behavioural and psychological support.”

“Recognising the fact that this segment needs special care, we are keen to develop field research to formulate innovative policies, anticipate challenges to handle them effectively,” Al Muhairi said.

Dr Al Serkal added: “We want to develop and train medical and technical cadres, support and promote scientific research in the field of mental health, upgrade information systems and update the statistical database on mental health in line with the National Mental Health Policy.”

"We will spare no effort to promote, strengthen and expand the scope of comprehensive, integrated and responsive mental health services that are responsive to the needs and directed to the community of all categories and ages.”