Care that respects a lifetime.
Mental health needs change with age. Depression, anxiety, memory changes, sleep problems, and the emotional weight of illness, loss, or caregiving are common after 65, and they are often missed or written off as "just getting older." They are real medical conditions, and they are treatable at any age.
What we treat
- Late-life depression and anxiety, including low mood that shows up as fatigue, poor appetite, pain, or withdrawal rather than sadness.
- Memory and thinking changes, with a careful evaluation to tell depression, early dementia, delirium, and medication effects apart.
- Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, such as agitation, sleep reversal, suspiciousness, or distress, with a focus on safety and the fewest medications possible.
- Grief and adjustment after the loss of a spouse, retirement, a move, or a new diagnosis.
- Insomnia and sleep problems that have not responded to the usual advice.
- Long-standing conditions such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, where medications that worked for decades may need adjusting as the body changes.
- Psychiatric symptoms tied to medical illness, including Parkinson's disease, stroke, thyroid problems, and side effects of other prescriptions.
Why older adults need a different approach
Older bodies process medications differently, and most people over 65 take several prescriptions that can interact. We start low, change one thing at a time, and monitor closely. Every evaluation includes a review of medical history and current medications, lab work when needed, and a brief cognitive screen. We work with your primary care physician, neurologist, and the family members or caregivers you want involved, so everyone is on the same page.
How we treat it
Dr. Shaikh serves as medical director of adult and geriatric psychiatry at Aspire Hospital, and our team includes clinicians with hospital experience in adult and geriatric acute care. Treatment usually combines thoughtful medication management with psychotherapy, structure and sleep support, and practical help for caregivers. Telemedicine visits are available for patients who find travel difficult, and a family member is welcome to join any appointment.