The BPSD Shared Interest Forum is one of the best examples of the enormous potential and contribution of IPA Member Forums to IPA and the field of Psychogeriatrics.  The BPSD group began as a result of two IPA expert consensus meetings, one in 1996 and the other in 1999. The review and discussion of the broad array of seemingly unrelated behaviors and symptoms spawned the development of The IPA Complete Guides to BPSD. The BPSD Shared Interest Forum has also been the impetus for numerous IPA Meeting, Congress and IPA Learning Portal (online education) presentations.

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The Capacity Shared Interest Forum has concentrated on one such area, involving the ability of an individual to execute a will directing the dispensation of their estate after death. Such transfers of wealth can stimulate discord in families, and are often challenged on grounds of lack of capacity or the presence of undue influence. Laws governing wills differ internationally, and the role of mental health professions in guiding courts also differs internationally. The Capacity Shared Interest Forum has been convened to explore these international differences, and to educate mental health professionals on the issues that relate to determination of capacity. The Capacity Shared Interest Forum convenes at IPA Congresses and Meetings and via the online IPA Member Forums.  We are currently working on publications and symposia for upcoming IPA Meetings.

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IPA Corporate Partners… Partners for better mental health for older people aims to improve and advance the mental health of older people, IPA recognizes that it needs the full involvement and support of the Psychogeriatrics field, not only its membership of academics, clinicians, and researchers, but also its colleagues in the various and diverse industries who are concerned about the wellbeing of older adults. Essentially, the IPA Corporate Partner program is a customized program where IPA and the company design a set of initiatives that meet our common goals and priorities to serve the field of Psychogeriatrics and improve the mental health of older people. This unique relationship enables IPA and industry to leverage their collective expertise to:

• Advance IPA’s mission of better mental health for older people
• Collaborate as partners on educational and research projects that complement industry and IPA common goals and initiatives
• Educate the world about Psychogeriatrics and best practice
• Support and disseminate the latest research in the field
• Foster innovation and new approaches
• Communicate the importance of geriatric mental health issues to regulatory and government agencies, governments and their leaders worldwide

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IPA Corporate Partners… Partners for better mental health for older people aims to improve and advance the mental health of older people, IPA recognizes that it needs the full involvement and support of the Psychogeriatrics field, not only its membership of academics, clinicians, and researchers, but also its colleagues in the various and diverse industries who are concerned about the wellbeing of older adults. Essentially, the IPA Corporate Partner program is a customized program where IPA and the company design a set of initiatives that meet our common goals and priorities to serve the field of Psychogeriatrics and improve the mental health of older people. This unique relationship enables IPA and industry to leverage their collective expertise to:

• Advance IPA’s mission of better mental health for older people
• Collaborate as partners on educational and research projects that complement industry and IPA common goals and initiatives
• Educate the world about Psychogeriatrics and best practice
• Support and disseminate the latest research in the field
• Foster innovation and new approaches
• Communicate the importance of geriatric mental health issues to regulatory and government agencies, governments and their leaders worldwide

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The International Psychogeriatric Association (IPA) developed The IPA Complete Guides to BPSD which, although helpful to all geriatric healthcare providers, was prepared with a view toward the different perspectives of the many professions that encounter patients with BPSD. To address your practice needs, The IPA Complete Guides to BPSD is designed to serve as a reference tool or as a training resource. When used for training, the individual guides of The IPA Complete Guides to BPSD series, as well as each module contained within The IPA Complete Guides to BPSD – Specialists Guide, can be used alone or together in a tailored approach to create your own customized program.

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The Long-Term Care Shared Interest Forum welcomes all members of IPA who express an interest in participating in the forum and/or attending meetings to discuss matters relating to Long-Term Care.

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IPA Professional Discipline Member Forums bring together IPA members of various disciplines and high interest in the field such as nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists, primary care physicians, and social workers to explore mental health and aging issues, from their professional perspective, on a worldwide basis, to identify activities and programs that will benefit themselves, their colleagues, and the communities they serve. The IPA Professional Discipline Forums collaborate with one another via online Forums and at the various IPA Meetings and Congresses. The Chair and members of each Professional Discipline Forum must be IPA members in good standing. Currently, there are activities in the following Professional Disciplines:

• Nurses
• Occupational Therapists
• Primary Care Physicians
• Psychologists
• Social Workers

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IPA Regional Initiative Forums connect members in specific areas of the world with the goal of encouraging the development and advancement of the field of Psychogeriatrics. The Regional Initiative Forums facilitate the sharing of information for professionals by providing an organized place for the exchange of information and identification of issues specific to their region; facilitating coordination for projects to address unique issues in the various regions of the world This is accomplished through IPA Regional Meetings and Congresses, the IPA Member Forums (online), relationships with regional organizations, regional working groups, website content, online discussions and other vehicles. The Chair and members of each Regional Initiative Forum must be IPA members in good standing. Currently, Regional Initiative Forums are active in four areas of the world:

• Africa
• Asia Pacific
• Eastern Europe
• Ibero-Latin America

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The Shared Interest Forums are member groups sharing interests in specific areas of research, practice and care. Each Shared Interest Forum concentrates on one specific, shared interest and collaborates on programs and resources addressing this issue. It is an excellent opportunity to delve more into a particular area with colleagues who are also concerned with an issue. The current Shared Interest Forums are:

• Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD)
• Capacity
• Long-Term Care
• Young Onset Dementia

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The Young Onset Dementia Shared Interest Forum: aims to establishing a network of professionals and researchers that are involved in the care and research of people with Young Onset Dementia; exchanging ideas between countries in order to improve care for people with Young Onset Dementia and establish international research projects

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The GMHF maintains a presence on the Internet through To educate the public and provide resources. The Foundation’s site features consumer information, news, resources, and a find-a-doctor feature, which lists psychiatrist members of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry who are accepting new patients. The Foundation’s aging and mental health series of brochures covers such topics as anxiety, depression, substance abuse and misuse, healthy aging, caregiving, sleep disorders, and disaster preparedness. Single copies of brochures are provided free of charge; bulk quantities may be purchased at cost.

The Geriatric Mental Health Foundation’s Scholars Fund is designed to expose medical students and young physicians to the rewarding field of geriatric psychiatry in an effort to increase the number of medical professionals expertly trained to care for the growing older population. Funds will be used to support Scholars’ activities during the AAGP Annual Meeting including a structured mentorship program; provide scholarships to AAGP’s focused educational programs; pay for memberships in the Association to give trainees full access to all AAGP member programs and activities; and develop tools for medical students and residents to make informed choices about their medical careers.