Geriatric psychiatry deals with the problems of mental and emotional disorders and diseases in the elderly. A geriatric psychiatrist has expertise in the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of mental and emotional disorders of older people. The psychiatrist’s extensive medical training allows him or her to understand the relationship between emotional illness and medical illnesses. The psychiatrist is the physician best qualified to determine the physical and/or psychological causes of both mental and physical disorders.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. Washington, D.C. has 29 practicing geriatric psychiatrist in Washington.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Washington, D.C. has a population of 550,521. Of this population, 110,240 are under the age of 18 and 66,591 are at or above the age of 65.