Mood disorders in older adults are often accompanied by substance use disorders and anxiety disorders, and these disorders predict the onset of dementia and other medical problems. The prevalence of major depression in older adults is estimated to be between 1 and 3 percent, with higher prevalence in older adults who are long-term users of nursing equipment. Biological factors contributing to depression in later life include gender femininity, vascular changes, and co-morbidities. Major psychological factors include disability and functional decline and loss of a spouse. Screening, identification and treatment of late-life mood disorders significantly reduce co-morbidities and health problems commonly experienced by older adults. According to statistics, older adults accounted for 18% of all suicides in 2000, and 13% of these suicides were among persons over 65 years of age. Many older adults experience loneliness, profound psychological changes, loss of a spouse, chronic disease-related stress, and clandestine use of alcohol and prescription opioids, according to Liu Yi of the Department of Clinical Psychology at the Mental Health Center of Zhejiang University School of Medicine. Prescription analgesics and anti-anxiety medications are often started by primary care physicians or general psychiatrists who treat patients with chronic pain and anxiety. Yet these medications become ineffective over time and are difficult to quit, and they may even contribute to the depressive symptoms experienced by many older adults. Mood disorders in older adults respond to several different treatments, such as antidepressants, psychotherapy, and ECT. treatment of geriatric depression is important to reduce the burden on caregivers. The geriatric population and the healthcare burden are growing together. Treatment for geriatric depression and substance abuse not only helps everyone with the disease, but also reduces the burden on caregivers. Our current ability to screen for substance use and psychiatric problems in older adults has improved, but many problems remain undetected and untreated. However, with the current educational model, we are not yet able to train enough geriatric psychiatrists to meet the growing demand for clinical services for geriatric psychiatric disorders. Therefore, we need a variety of psychiatrists and health care professionals to alleviate this burden. The lecture “Updates in Geriatric Psychiatry” at the APA2015 conference was designed for general psychiatrists, advanced practice nurses, or primary care physicians. Members of four departments from the departments of psychiatry at Yale University and the University of Connecticut presented this lecture. The lecture covers geriatric depression, anxiety and psychosis, and substance abuse. Its educational objectives include helping general practitioners understand the epidemiology, assessment and treatment of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, depression and psychosis, and substance abuse in older adults. This seminar will be a one-stop shop for physicians who want up-to-date information on psychiatric disorders in the elderly.