Dr. Ashok Bharucha, MD
Geriatric Psychiatrist | Geriatric Psychiatry
143 Edgewood Drive W South Abington Twp PA, 18411Rating
3/5
About
Dr. Ashok Bharucha is a geriatric psychiatrist practicing in South Abington Township and Bloomsburg, PA. Dr. Bharucha specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders, particularly in older adults. Patients who visit geriatric psychiatrists typically look for help with problems such as memory loss, depression, difficulty coping with change, stress, dementia, anxiety and more. Older adults may also experience emotional distress after being diagnosed with a disease as well. Dr. Bharucha helps patients after a comprehensive diagnostic exam so the root of their problems can be treated.
Education and Training
Bucknell University BA 1988
Penn State College of Medicine MD 1992
Harvard Medical School/McLean Adult psychiatry residency 1996
University of Washington SOM Geriatric psychiatry fellow 1997
Middlebury College MA 2017
Board Certification
Psychiatry and NeurologyAmerican Board of Psychiatry and NeurologyABPN- Geriatric Psychiatry
Provider Details
Dr. Ashok Bharucha, MD's Expert Contributions
How can I manage my father's temper with Alzheimer's?
Behavioral disturbances are quite common over the course of dementia, and often are more difficult to manage than the cognitive changes. Several factors have to be considered in relation to every behavioral change: cognitive changes (forgetfulness, poor attention span, visuospatial problems, etc.), medical issues (urine or lung infection, poorly managed pain, bowel or bladder issues, loss of mobility, etc.), psychiatric issues (depression, anxiety, etc.), environmental factors (over- or understimulation, lack of structure/routine, environment that does not take into account the person's cognitive limitations, etc.), and caregiver approach to the problem. If there are no active medical issues, I would certainly explore how some of the other factors listed here may be playing a role, and may inform how to intervene. Although antidepressants are only modestly effective in the context of dementia, there are clearly individuals who respond well to them, just as there are individuals who also respond well to cognitive enhancers such as donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, or memantine. The key is a careful evaluation by a geriatrically trained professional to figure out what factors are contributing to the problem. READ MORE
What can I do for my father's depression due to Alzheimer's?
The answer depends partly on the stage of dementia in terms of what would be possible psychotherapeutically. Depression should certainly be fully evaluated to take into account medical factors/medications that may be related to it. Identifying pleasant activities that he would still be able to participate in would be helpful. Early in the course of the condition, supportive psychotherapy would be an important element of care. The evidence supporting the effectiveness of antidepressants in the context of dementia is not very compelling, but they are often used, and could make a big difference for some. The problem is that we do not know which antidepressants work for whom under what circumstances in the context of dementia. Given their relatively benign safety profile, I am inclined to use one if indicated. READ MORE
How can I help my mother's emotional outbursts?
It would depend on the reasons for the outburst. A psychiatric consultation would be a good starting point. READ MORE
What is the most effective antidepressant?
The effectiveness is the same for any antidepressant. What distinguishes them are side effect profiles and certain pharmacological properties. READ MORE
Would a geriatric psychiatrist help my mother during early dementia stages?
Yes, I would strongly recommend a consultation. READ MORE
My mother is 80 years old and has severe anxiety. Should she really be on xanex?
Hi. Medications such as Xanax and others in its class are contraindicated in the elderly but there is a small group of people for whom other options do not work well. The best alternative might be an antidepressant such as Lexapro and gradually tapering off the Xanax. I would strongly recommend she be fully evaluated by a geriatrically trained psychiatrist before doing anything. Thanks. READ MORE
Is alcohol use disorder a psychiatric disorder?
Yes. Alcohol use disorder is listed as a category in the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic manual as a disorder. READ MORE
My mother hasn't spoken to us since she's been in assisted living. Could this be depression?
Hi, it would not be unusual to see a combination of anger and depression in such a situation. Most facilities do have access to counseling services. Perhaps she would be open to such. Her medical team could certainly pursue a general medical workup to evaluate possibility of depression, and consider appropriate medication intervention, if indicated. READ MORE
My elderly mother has depression. What can be done for her?
A careful medical evaluation to identify potentially undiagnosed medical conditions, as well as the possible negative mood effects of current combination of medications would be the first prudent step. Older individuals respond as well to depression treatment, if not better, than adults with depression. There are many antidepressants as well as other treatments that could be helpful. In terms of behavioral approaches, regular exercise, regular sleep schedule, avoidance of alcohol, socialization, etc. are very important. Involvement of a geriatrically trained internist or psychiatrist would be helpful. READ MORE
How do you treat anxiety in the elderly?
Hi, it really depends on the underlying cause, whether it's medical, medication- or substance-related, psychiatric, or cognitive. A psychiatric workup would be prudent because the treatment depends on the correct diagnosis. READ MORE
My elderly mother has become very afraid of leaving the house. What should we do?
She needs to be medically and psychiatrically evaluated. If she is not willing to leave the house, you may need to call your county's mobile crisis number to see if someone can come and evaluate her. Perhaps they can find a way to have her evaluated in the ER first since it may take a while before an appointment with a psychiatrist can be arranged. Thanks. READ MORE
What types of medications are used to manage bipolar disorder?
The most reliable sources might be the National Depression and Bipolar Alliance website and the National Institutes of Mental Health website. The National Library of Medicine (PubMed) often also has review materials that may be helpful. READ MORE
My husband is starting to have delusions, what can I do?
Delusions can be caused by a long list of medical problems, medications, medication interactions, and psychiatric, as well as neurological problems. Ideally he needs to be seen by a psychiatrist who specializes in mental disorders of later life, but there are very few of them. You may wish to start by visiting his primary care doctor who might then make a referral to a neurologist as well for a dementia evaluation. It is important to rule out medical and neurological issues as well as medication interactions before deciding on a course of treatment. READ MORE
Expert Publications
Data provided by the National Library of Medicine- Predictors of nursing facility admission: a 12-year epidemiological study in the United States.
- Motivations for physician-assisted suicide.
- Why now? Timing and circumstances of hastened deaths.
- Psychotherapy in long-term care: A review.
- Family member involvement in hastened death.
- Intelligent video monitoring to improve safety of older persons.
- Prevalence of behavioral symptoms: comparison of the minimum data set assessments with research instruments.
- Resident-to-resident aggression in long-term care facilities: insights from focus groups of nursing home residents and staff.
- In-home monitoring of persons with dementia: ethical guidelines for technology research and development.
- Late-life suicide: a review.
Areas of expertise and specialization
Professional Memberships
- American Psychiatric Association
- American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry
- American Geriatrics Society
Areas of research
Behavioral disturbances of dementia
Dr. Ashok Bharucha, MD's Practice location
Transformations: Adult and Geriatric Psychiatry PC
143 Edgewood Drive W -South Abington Twp, PA 18411Get Direction
Bloomsburg, PA 17815Get Direction
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Get to know Psychiatrist Dr. Ashok Bharucha, who serves patients in Pennsylvania.
Regarded as thoughtful and attentive, Dr. Bharucha is a seasoned adult and geriatric psychiatrist with over 30 years of clinical, research, administrative, and teaching experience. He currently operates a private practice, Transformations: Adult and Geriatric Psychiatry, PC, conveniently located in South Abington Township, Pennsylvania.
As the lead professional at Transformations: Adult and Geriatric Psychiatry, PC, Dr. Barucha aims to establish a collaborative therapeutic relationship with every patient that not only enhances their sense of well-being but also furthers their aspirations for achieving their full potential. He approaches his work from an existential and humanistic standpoint, allowing clients to narrate their singular stories that reveal their hopes, passions, and dreams.
Born in India, Dr. Bharucha was raised in the United States for most of his childhood. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry and German, Cum Laude, with departmental honors in German from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. He then went on to earn his medical degree from the Penn State College of Medicine in 1992.
Furthering his training, he completed his postgraduate work at Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital (four months, geriatric and addiction psychiatry), Massachusetts General Hospital (two months, neurology), and Mount Auburn Hospital (6 months, medical internship).
Following this initial postgraduate period, Dr. Bharucha completed his residency in adult psychiatry at McLean Hospital from 1993 until 1996, and his fellowship in geriatric psychiatry at the University of Washington School of Medicine, under Richard Veith, from 1996 until 1997.
Most recently, in 2017, Dr. Bharucha earned his Master of Arts degree from Bread Loaf School of English in Vermont.
Board-certified in psychiatry, he is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). The ABPN is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to promoting high quality patient care for the public through the initial and continuing certification of psychiatrists and neurologists.
An experienced dementia and late-life disorders specialist, Dr. Bharucha is highly-trained in adult and geriatric psychiatry, as well as in the management of conditions at the interface of neurology, medicine, and psychiatry. He pursues the best outcomes for patients through a combination of pharmacology (psychoactive medications) and psychotherapy (talk therapy).
With more than 30 years in the psychiatric field, including over ten years as a senior psychiatric medicine practitioner, his clinical experience includes stretches as an adult and geriatric psychiatrist at such organizations as Generations Geriatric Mental Health, Eliot Hospital (2015 – present).
His experience in academia includes several professorial appointments within various institutions, including serving as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Carnegie Mellon University (2002 – present).
Maintaining long-standing memberships in a number of scientific and professional societies, Dr. Bharucha is a member of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Geriatrics Society, the American Medical Directors’ Association, the American Neuropsychiatric Association, the International Psychogeriatric Association, and the Gerontological Society of America.
Psychiatry is the medical specialty devoted to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of mental disorders. These include various maladaptations related to mood, behavior, cognition, and perceptions. Psychiatrists evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients with mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. They conduct thorough psychiatric evaluations, develop treatment plans, prescribe medication, and evaluate treatment results.
Throughout his extensive career, Dr. Bharucha has earned several academic and professional honors, including Fellowship with the American Psychoanalytic Association (1996-1997); An Ethics Committee Chairmanship at the Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester (1999); Three Golden Apple Teacher of the Year Award Nominations at WPIC between 2001 and 2003; Golden Apple Teacher of the Year Award at WPIC in 2002; Golden Apple Psychiatry Teacher of the Year Award at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (2002); Excellence in Education Award in the Small Group Facilitator Category at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (2004); and Outstanding Mentor nomination at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He was also named one of America’s Top Physicians by the Consumers’ Research Council of America each year from 2007 to the present, and Best Doctors in America honors between 2009 and 2010.
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