The emergence of mental health services for older people is a relatively recent development in Ireland. Therefore, it is important to determine strengths and limitations of this modern-day care service. A starting point is to enquire from those who have been in receipt of their service and/or their respective carers.

This study aims to identify and describe the perceptions and experiences of past service users (SUs) and their carers, while in receipt of services from an acute mental health day hospital for Psychiatry of Later Life and to explore their needs/supports.

A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive design was employed. Purposive sampling achieved a sample of 13 SUs and six carers. Inclusion criteria set were that the SU had a diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder; had the capacity to make an informed consent and communicate verbally and the SU was discharged from the service between January and July 2011. Finally, carers of SUs in receipt of the service during this time were also included. Data were subjected to thematic, field analysis.

‘Person centredness’ emerged as an overarching theme. Six inter-related subthemes revealing how SUs and carers viewed their care emerged from the interviews: ‘therapeutic engagement’; ‘preservation of self-integrity’; ‘collaborative care’; ‘integrated care’; ‘social gains’; and ‘the relationship between the expectation, subsequent engagement and the perceived outcome of care’.

Findings concluded that high levels of care exist within this service. Strengths lie in the development of a therapeutic relationship, preservation of self-integrity, social gains and robust elements of person-centred holistic, integrated and collaborative care

Recommendations support the enhancement of a cohesive planned approach to admission, discharge/transition (integrated pathway).