The development of day hospitals and day care

ay Hospitals have established components of mental health services in the U.K. since the 1960s. The concept of providing skilled assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of patients, without removing them from the support of home has been welcomed and adopted widely in other specialties, including Geriatric Medicine, and in other countries. A number of models of day hospital work find favour in different settings. They may be stand-alone or may be attached to inpatient units. Some function as mobile units. There is increasing interest in integrating Day Hospitals for older people with mental illness with other modes of care for older people - provided by Social Services, the independent sector or voluntary organisations. The combined services of day hospitals/day care are to help individuals to regain best health and/or abilities without losing their place in the community, whilst enabling families/informal cases to help without becoming excessively stressed.