Dr Surita Van Heerden Geriatric Psychiatrist Pinelands

Dr Surita Van Heerden Geriatric Psychiatrist, Pinelands

About

Dr. Surita Van Heerden is a qualified and highly experienced Geriatric Psychiatrist based in Pinelands, Cape Town. She completed her undergraduate training at the University of Pretoria in 1996 and graduated as a Psychiatrist at Stellenbosch University in 2003. Dr. Van Heerden has worked in various capacities, including as a consultant for elderly services in the UK, as a District General Psychiatrist in Cape Town, and as Head of the Psychiatric Department at New Somerset Hospital.

Between 2006 and 2009, Dr. Van Heerden served as the Coordinating Clinician for Mental Health in the Western Cape. She went on to specialize in Geriatric Psychiatry, becoming the first registered Geriatric Psychiatrist in South Africa after completing her MPhil in Geriatric Neuropsychology at Stellenbosch University in 2013. Dr. Van Heerden has also been a lecturer at both Stellenbosch University and the University of Cape Town and is involved in training and examining Registrars in Psychiatry and senior registrars in Geriatric Psychiatry.

Services

Dr. Van Heerden offers a full range of services for elderly patients, both outpatient and inpatient, with a focus on mental health and cognitive well-being. Her services include:

• Memory Loss and Dementia Assessments: Comprehensive evaluations for dementia and memory complaints.
• Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Treatment for disorders associated with aging, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Vascular Dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy Body Disease, Epilepsy, and Post-Stroke complications.
• Psychiatric Symptoms Co-occurring with Medical Diseases: Addressing psychiatric symptoms in patients with existing medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
• Psychiatric Symptoms in Older Adults: Diagnosis and management of new psychiatric symptoms, including depression and anxiety, in individuals over 60.
• Management of Existing Psychiatric Disorders: Ongoing treatment for patients over 60 with conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and psychosis.
• Psychological Symptoms of Aging: Support for emotional and psychological challenges associated with normal aging, including grief and bereavement.
• Future Care Planning: Assistance with planning for long-term care and well-being, ensuring patients and families are prepared for the future.
• Driving Assessments: Evaluation of driving abilities in older individuals to ensure safety and independence.
• Formal Capacity Assessments: Conducting capacity assessments for Curatorship Applications.

Dr. Van Heerden works closely with Life St. Vincent’s Hospital, where she admits patients with dementia, behavioral problems, and other psychiatric difficulties. She collaborates with the SGM Clinic to provide a specialized service and therapeutic program for elderly patients. The unit also offers a free dementia support group for families and an Occupational Therapy program for elderly inpatients with cognitive impairment.

Additional Information

For appointments with Dr. Surita Van Heerden, please contact Lucinda at:

• Phone: 021 200 5924
• Email: drsvh@sgmclinic.co.za

Dr. Van Heerden’s approach combines years of experience with a deep commitment to supporting elderly patients and their families through the emotional, psychological, and practical aspects of aging. She ensures that each patient receives personalized, compassionate care that addresses both their mental health and overall well-being.