Reviewed byAigul Serikova, MDPsychiatrist · updated 11.11.2026
Key facts
- ICD-10 code
- F00–F03
- Who provides care
- a psychiatrist experienced in working with older patients; when indicated, a neurologist and an internist
- Format
- home visits across Almaty and its suburbs, clinic appointments, and online consultations for relatives living in another city
- Duration
- the first visit takes 1.5–2 hours; the workup takes 1–3 weeks; follow-up is ongoing, usually every 1–3 months
- Confidentiality
- medical confidentiality, anonymous, no entry in the state dispensary registry; information is shared only with the consent of the patient or their legal representative
- When it’s urgent
- sudden confusion developing over hours or days, a fall, weakness in an arm or leg, slurred speech — call 103 or 112 immediately
- Outcome
- a clear diagnosis, less nighttime restlessness and aggression, a safe home environment, and a care plan for the family
What to know
A typical story in Almaty: Mom lives alone in the Almaly district, and her children work and see her on weekends. At first she forgot to turn off the gas, then she started calling at night saying “someone was in the apartment,” and one day she left home and was found near the old market. Or Dad, at the summer house in the foothills, has stopped recognizing the neighbors and gets angry with his wife. Families put it all down to age for a long time — and come to a psychiatrist only when caregiving has become overwhelming.
A psychiatrist is needed in dementia not only for the diagnosis. The things that are hardest for families — nighttime wandering, suspiciousness, aggression, tears, and anxiety — respond in large part to treatment and the right kind of care. Our job is to understand exactly what is happening to the person, rule out reversible causes, choose therapy without unnecessary medications, and teach loved ones what genuinely makes life easier for the whole family. We always start with a conversation with the family.
When an older person needs a psychiatrist
- forgets recent events and asks the same question over and over
- gets lost in familiar places and can’t find the way home
- confuses the time of day, getting ready at night to go “to work” or to visit someone
- accuses loved ones of stealing belongings or money, or suspects the neighbors
- has become irritable or aggressive despite having been calm before
- can’t manage familiar tasks: paying bills, cooking, taking medications
- sees people or animals in the apartment that aren’t really there
If life is at risk — loss of consciousness, seizures, hallucinations, overdose, suicidal thoughts — call 103 or 112. Helpline for children and young people: 150.
Why dementia develops and what can be reversed
The most common forms are Alzheimer’s disease (F00 in ICD-10) and vascular dementia (F01), and the two often occur together. The risk increases with age, high blood pressure, diabetes, previous strokes, smoking, physical inactivity, and low social engagement. The WHO stresses that some of these risk factors can be modified — which is why controlling blood pressure and blood sugar matters even after a diagnosis has been made.
Not every memory decline is dementia. Similar symptoms can be caused by depression in older adults, vitamin B12 deficiency, thyroid problems, medication side effects (especially sleeping pills and some blood pressure drugs), dehydration in hot weather, and urinary tract infections. These causes are reversible, so a psychiatrist starts by ruling them out — not by prescribing new pills.
How a psychiatrist visit for dementia works
First, by video or phone, the doctor asks the relatives when the changes began, which medications are being taken, and whether there have been falls or strokes. Then the psychiatrist visits the home — in a familiar setting, an older person is less anxious and shows their true level of functioning. The visit includes a conversation, neuropsychological testing, a blood pressure check, and a review of medications. The doctor orders lab tests and, when indicated, a CT or MRI scan, and within 1–3 weeks discusses the diagnosis and plan with the family.
The condition is not managed at home when confusion develops suddenly over a matter of hours — this may be a stroke, an infection, or delirium, and urgent hospitalization is needed; call 103. Inpatient care is also needed for severe aggression, refusal of food and water, or significant dehydration. Online sessions can be used to advise relatives and track changes, but an initial assessment is impossible without an in-person examination.
How we help
Diagnosis and ruling out reversible causes
Memory and attention testing, mood assessment, blood tests (including B12, thyroid function, and blood sugar), and a review of all medications. Often, simply stopping an unnecessary sleeping pill or adjusting blood pressure treatment brings a noticeable improvement. The diagnosis is made according to ICD-10 after a full workup, not on the basis of a single visit. The doctor explains the results to the family in plain language.
Medication when indicated
For some forms of dementia, medications that improve neurotransmitter signaling are used to slow cognitive decline — only as prescribed by a doctor. Insomnia, anxiety, delusions, and aggression are treated cautiously: older adults have a high risk of falls and side effects, so doses are kept minimal and the regimen is reviewed regularly.
Family education and care planning
The psychiatrist explains how to communicate without arguing, how to structure the daily routine, and why daytime light and evening quiet matter. They advise on how to make the apartment safe: gas, doors, medications. We help the family share the load so that the main caregiver doesn’t burn out, and when needed we bring in a psychotherapist for family members.
Regular follow-up
Dementia changes over time, and what helped six months ago may stop working. The psychiatrist sees the patient every 1–3 months, and some appointments are held online with relatives. If behavior suddenly worsens, an unscheduled home visit is made to look for the cause rather than simply increasing doses. The family always knows whom to call if things get worse.
How treatment works
- 01Call or WhatsAppThe administrator and the doctor on duty clarify the situation and tell you what to do right now.
- 02Examination or consultationThe doctor visits your home, sees you at the clinic or joins by video.
- 03Treatment planWe choose the format — at home, inpatient, psychotherapy or rehab — with a clear price.
- 04Ongoing supportYour doctor and psychotherapist stay in touch: follow-ups, family support and relapse prevention.
Myths and facts
MythForgetfulness in old age is normal — there’s nothing to treat
FactMild age-related changes do happen, but disorientation, delusions, and the inability to handle everyday tasks are signs of illness. Some causes are reversible, and behavioral symptoms respond well to treatment.
MythOnly a strong sedative will help with dementia
FactStrong sedatives in older adults increase the risk of falls, confusion, and pneumonia. First, the cause of the restlessness is sought — pain, constipation, infection, fear — and the daily routine is changed; medications are chosen with care.
MythTelling the person about the diagnosis will make them worse
FactIn the early stages, many people want to know about their condition so they can make decisions about their health and property while they still can. What to say and how is discussed with the family on an individual basis. Outright deception usually damages trust.
Prices: Dementia care
| Dementia care | 35 000 ₸ |
| Psychiatrist consultation at the clinic | 15 990 ₸ |
| Psychiatrist home visit | 35 000 ₸ |
| Follow-up visit, treatment adjustment | 12 000 ₸ |
| Phone consultation | free |
Prices are approximate: the doctor confirms the exact cost after the examination, before treatment starts.
Confidential
We do not register patients with state dispensaries or share information with employers. You do not have to give your surname; doctors arrive in unmarked cars. Medical confidentiality is protected by the Code of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”.
Clinic addresses
FAQ
Mom refuses to see a doctor. What can we do?
That’s exactly why we make home visits. The visit can be presented as a routine checkup or a blood pressure check. The doctor starts with a neutral conversation and doesn’t bring up “psychiatry” head-on. If the person won’t agree to an examination at all, a consultation for the relatives is held first.
What’s the difference between a psychiatrist and a neurologist in dementia care?
A neurologist more often deals with vascular and neurological causes, while a psychiatrist handles behavioral and psychiatric symptoms: delusions, hallucinations, anxiety, depression, and aggression. Patients often need both specialists, and at Akalam they work together.
Can dementia be cured completely?
Most forms of dementia are chronic and cannot yet be cured completely. But reversible causes of decline can be eliminated, and the right treatment and care help a person stay independent longer and make life noticeably easier for both the patient and the family.
What should we do if an older person leaves home at night?
Install door sensors or a lock that’s harder to open, and keep a note with the address and phone number in their clothing. Provide more light and activity during the day and a calm environment in the evening. Discuss the sleep problems with a psychiatrist: the cause is often a reversed sleep schedule or unsuitable medications.
We live in another city, and our parents are in Almaty. How can you help?
We can hold an online consultation for you first, then the psychiatrist will visit your parents at home and follow up with you by video afterward. Ongoing care is combined: in-person visits to the patient and online meetings with the relatives.
Is inpatient care needed for dementia?
Usually not: older people do better in familiar surroundings. Hospitalization is needed for sudden confusion, severe aggression, refusal to eat, dehydration, or when therapy needs to be adjusted urgently under observation. The decision is made with the consent of the patient or their legal representative.
Sources and review
Prepared by the Akalam medical editorial team based on:
- ICD-10 and ICD-11: mental and behavioural disorders
- Clinical protocols of the Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan
- Code of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”
- WHO: mental health and substance use
- NICE and APA clinical guidelines
This information is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Editorial policy