AFG Projects: Elderly: Mentally Ill
Geriatric Department in the Institute of Psychiatry
Personal Observations from the Executive Director: Until 2003, special hospital assistance for elderly psychotic patients was not available. For disabled, especially demented and psychotic elderly, care at home was not available. There was no place for them to go if their families were not able to care for them. To meet this need, AFG and the Evelyn Stefansson Nef Foundation helped Dr. Nestan Duduchava start the first in patient Geriatric Department for mentally ill elderly in Georgia.
AFG Accomplishments: AFG and the Evelyn Stefansson Nef Foundation have:
- Provided funds for Dr. Duduchava to create a gleaming new 30-bed in patient department for mentally ill elderly patients who cannot be cared for at home.
- Provided funds to purchase clothes, washing machines, food, wheelchairs and diesel for heat.
- Provided funds to purchase medicines such as sedatives, antibiotics, antidepressants and neuroleptics.
- Shipped clothing, shoes and medical supplies from Cape Cod Hospital
Current Needs: The Geriatric Department at the Institute of Psychiatry needs:
- Funds to continue this program to purchase such things as medicines, diesel for heat, beds, blankets and wheelchairs.