Background and Objective: Aging has emerged as a social issue from the early 1960s in Germany and now Germany is known for its well-established social infrastructure for elderly mental health care. The purpose of study is to (1) review the role of healthcare professionals by visiting the healthcare system in Germany and (2) to examine the implications to improve the quality of mental care for the elderly in Korea. Methods: We searched for the information about mental health care through the governmental, medical, and academic institutions as well as local pharmacies in Germany. We contacted and arranged the visit schedules with German Alzheimer Society, St. Hedwig-Krankenhaus, Evangelisches Geriatriezentrum Berlin, Charité- Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit, Frankfurt School of Finance & Management and Heidelberg University. During onsite visits during August of 2017, we interviewed professionals working in each institution. Results: German Alzheimer Society is working to improve the quality of life for patients and their families through the collaboration with related institutions. Geriatric hospitals were well systematized for helping patients develop their ability to become self-reliant beyond for providing medical treatment. Mental care is usually involved with the integrated team consisted of psychiatrist, psychotherapist, nurse, occupational therapist, physical therapist and social workers through the whole process from diagnosis to treatment for the patients in the medical facilities. Conclusion: The German healthcare system shares a common goal of 'peoplecentered care' where ‘people’ include patients and their families. Focusing on people might be needed as a key value for mental health care system in Korea.

Keywords: Germany, Mental care, Health care system, Elderly, Team care, Professional role