Abstract
In 2001, the Gerontopsychiatric Center for Psychosocial Services opened in Vienna. Supported by the city, this ambulatory social-psychiatric institution undertook with its multi-professional team to enable those afflicted with dementia to achieve the longest possible life in the familiar surroundings of their own homes. In recent years, an increasing number of clients visiting the Center are immigrants who grew up in countries other than Austria. What has proven to work best for neuropsychological examination is translation-interpretation performed by their family relatives. For the testing procedure, success has been achieved with the “quick clock three-word combination,” the “mini-mental state examination” and the “10-word test with memorizing aid.” Although immigrants, when first examined in the Center, as a rule are younger than clients who grew up in Austria, nonetheless they come to the Center in a clearly more advanced state of dementia. Psychological burdens specific to immigration appear to play a role in causing the premature aging processes to take place.
Biography:
After receiving his Degree in Psychology at University of Vienna, Mag. Strotzka obtained his title “Clinical Psychologist” in a post graduate study with the critical psychologists in Vienna. He is presently Clinical Psychologist in the Gerontopsychiatric Center for Psycho-Social Services in Vienna. He has presented the latest findings of dementia research and the practical work of the Gerontopsychiatric Center Vienna at several conferences in Germany and Austria and at international conferences. Since 2009 Mag. Strotzka teaches “Neuropsychological diagnosis” at Danube University Krems, Austria.
