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The treatment and care of individuals with dementia, who are admitted to general hospitals due to somatic diseases, often leads to crisis situations which not only compromise the therapeutic benefit, but also can be followed by avoidable institutionalization in nursing homes or psychiatric hospitals. With the model project "Gerontopsychiatric Consultation-Liaison Service" in Kaufbeuren a comprehensive solution to this problem has been developed. A multiprofessional team consisting of a medical specialist, nurses specialized in psychiatry and an occupational therapist supports the health personnel by giving assistance and advice. It also provides contact persons for patients and their families. The effectiveness analysis proved that the work of this service has positive effects on both patient care and costs. Moreover a structural and process analysis provided data about the structure of patients and services as well as about the problems which arose during the setting up of the new service. Potential "imitators" can use this information in the implementation of similar services.

For consultation-liaison services to reach their optimum in efficiency in Germany, the transgression of sector boundaries (e.g., between primary care and general hospitals) must be addressed and improved by specific integrated service delivery contracts that help all participants to achieve a solid legal basis.

Our results indicate that a geropsychiatric consultation-liaison team for nursing homes may improve service delivery especially with regard to behavioral psychological symptoms in dementia (BPSD).