This study aims to investigate whether a Late-Life Schizophrenia-Integrated Care Pathway (LLS-ICP) is superior to treatment as usual (TAU) in the treatment of psychotic symptoms of patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The investigators hypothesize that the LLS-ICP will be superior to TAU and result in 1.higher rates of response, 2. shorter times to response, 3. less side effects, 4. and better functional outcomes. The LLS-ICP study will be the first randomized controlled study to assess the efficacy of an ICP in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder in this region. If successful, it will lead to the development of new and innovative approaches to health care delivery to patients with chronic schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder not just within this institution but also at other sites in the community. The nature of ICPs as algorithmic and systematic in providing assessments and treatments render them ideal to be disseminated to medical practice outside of the institution of where they have been developed. These settings can include primary care clinics, supportive living environments, and long-term care homes where patients with chronic schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder are being cared for.
