What a geriatric psychiatrist does
A geriatric psychiatrist is a psychiatrist who focuses on the mental health of older adults. Later life brings changes that are different from those earlier in adulthood: shifting health conditions, new medications, retirement and changing roles, the loss of friends and partners, and the natural process of aging itself. A geriatric psychiatrist understands how these factors interact, so that emotional symptoms in an older adult are evaluated in their full context rather than treated as an inevitable part of getting older.
Family Psychiatry & Therapy provides geriatric psychiatry for older adults across New Jersey and New York. Feeling persistently down, anxious, withdrawn, or “not yourself” is not a normal part of aging, and it is not something you simply have to accept. These are treatable conditions, and many older adults feel meaningfully better with the right care.
Conditions we help older adults with
Our clinicians evaluate and treat the mental health concerns that most commonly affect older adults, including:
- Late-life depression. Depression in older adults often looks different from depression earlier in life. It can show up as loss of interest, low energy, irritability, sleep changes, or physical complaints rather than obvious sadness. It overlaps closely with depression at any age and responds well to treatment.
- Late-life anxiety. Worry about health, finances, falling, or being a burden can become persistent and exhausting. Anxiety in later life is common and very treatable.
- Grief and loss. The loss of a spouse, friends, independence, or a familiar role can lead to grief that lingers or deepens into depression. We help older adults process loss while watching for when grief needs clinical support.
- Cognitive and memory changes. Changes in memory or thinking are understandably worrying. A careful evaluation helps distinguish ordinary age-related changes, the effects of depression or anxiety, medication side effects, and conditions that warrant closer follow-up, so you get clarity rather than guesswork.
- Behavioral changes related to dementia. For families navigating a dementia diagnosis, we provide compassionate support around mood, agitation, sleep, and adjustment, and coordinate closely with neurology and primary care.
- Adjustment to later-life transitions. Retirement, relocation, changes in driving or independence, and new caregiving roles all take an emotional toll that is worth taking seriously.
Many older adults experience more than one of these at once, and they frequently overlap with physical health conditions. Part of our role is helping sort out what is driving what, so the plan addresses the real cause.
Geriatric psychiatry in Bergen County and Paramus
Our practice is based at 351 Evelyn Street in Paramus, New Jersey, in the heart of Bergen County. We offer in-person geriatric psychiatry appointments for older adults in Bergen County and the surrounding area, and secure telehealth visits for patients throughout New Jersey and New York. For many older adults and their families, telehealth removes real barriers (no driving, no parking, and no need to coordinate transportation) while still providing a thorough, unhurried evaluation from the comfort of home.
Whether you are an older adult seeking help for yourself or an adult child looking for care for a parent, we make the process straightforward. Our intake team can talk through scheduling, insurance, and whether an in-person or telehealth visit makes the most sense for your situation.
What a first appointment looks like
Geriatric psychiatry usually begins with a thorough psychiatric evaluation. This is an unhurried, one-on-one conversation about your current concerns, your history, your sleep and mood, any recent changes in memory or thinking, and how everything is affecting daily life. With your permission, we are glad to include a trusted family member, which often helps fill in the full picture.
Because older adults frequently take several medications for other health conditions, a careful review is a central part of the visit. Some physical symptoms, and even some changes in mood or memory, can be related to medications or to how they interact with one another. We look at the whole picture and coordinate with your other doctors. We do not make medication changes in isolation. Any decisions about prescriptions are made by your prescribing clinician, in coordination with your primary care physician and other specialists, with your safety as the first priority.
Much of our care is delivered through secure online telehealth, which works well for evaluation, follow-up, and ongoing treatment for the great majority of older adults. When an in-person visit in Bergen County is a better fit, we offer that too.
Coordinating with your other doctors
Good mental health care for older adults does not happen in a silo. With your consent, we coordinate with your primary care physician, neurologist, and any other specialists involved in your care. This matters most when memory, medications, and physical health conditions overlap, and a coordinated plan reduces the risk of conflicting treatments and helps everyone work from the same information. If you receive care in a skilled nursing or assisted-living setting, we can support that environment as well.
Frequently asked questions
What does a geriatric psychiatrist do?
A geriatric psychiatrist is a psychiatrist who focuses on the mental health of older adults. They evaluate and treat conditions such as late-life depression, anxiety, grief, and cognitive or behavioral changes, taking into account the medical conditions, medications, and life transitions that are common later in life. The goal is to understand emotional symptoms in their full context and build a safe, effective plan.
Is depression a normal part of aging?
No. While later life brings real challenges, persistent depression is not a normal or inevitable part of getting older. It is a treatable medical condition. Many older adults feel significantly better with appropriate care, so ongoing low mood, loss of interest, or hopelessness is always worth evaluating rather than accepting.
How is depression in older adults different?
Depression in older adults often looks different from depression earlier in life. Instead of obvious sadness, it may appear as loss of interest, low energy, irritability, sleep or appetite changes, withdrawal, or physical complaints. Because these can be mistaken for normal aging or other health problems, a careful evaluation by a clinician experienced with older adults is important.
Are memory problems always a sign of dementia?
Not necessarily. Changes in memory or thinking can have many causes, including ordinary age-related changes, depression or anxiety, sleep problems, and medication effects, in addition to conditions like dementia. A thorough evaluation helps clarify what is happening so you get accurate information and an appropriate plan, rather than assuming the worst.
How do you handle medications for older adults?
Medication review is a central part of geriatric care because older adults often take several medications and can be more sensitive to interactions and side effects. We review the full picture and coordinate with your other doctors. We do not make medication changes in isolation; any prescription decisions are made by your prescribing clinician, in coordination with your primary care physician, with safety as the first priority. We do not recommend specific medications on this page.
Can older adults be treated through telehealth?
Yes. Secure telehealth works well for the great majority of older adults and is effective for evaluation, follow-up, and ongoing treatment. It removes barriers such as driving, parking, and arranging transportation, and a trusted family member can join the visit when that is helpful. When an in-person visit in Bergen County is a better fit, we offer that as well.
Do you accept insurance for geriatric psychiatry?
Family Psychiatry & Therapy is in-network with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna, and works with several other carriers. Many patients with Medicare or other plans also have coverage for psychiatric care. Our intake team can verify your benefits and explain expected costs before your first appointment.
Schedule care for an older adult
If you or an older adult you love has been struggling with mood, anxiety, grief, or memory concerns, you do not have to sort it out alone. A thorough psychiatric evaluation is a clear, supportive first step. Call (201) 977-2889 or visit familypsychnj.com to schedule with our intake team. We offer in-person care in Bergen County and telehealth across New Jersey and New York.
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