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Substance Abuse / Addiction Services
Older Adult Outreach Services
There is an increased need for substance abuse services for Older Adults. Many older adults have shown a tendency to misuse medications, use alcohol excessively and to use illegal substances without knowledge of the effects of these substances on prescribed medications. This is compounded by the "baby-boomers" who are now becoming older adults and either never stopped using alcohol and other illegal substances or stopped using them, but remember the effects of alcohol and other drugs and have commenced to use these substances again, in order to obtain immediate relief from emotional and physical discomfort.
Outreach Services help identify risk behaviors and provide education, screening and assessment as well as referrals for appropriate intervention and treatment services. The program emphasizes the special needs of elders and their families providing information about substance abuse, resources for treatment services and the impact of substances on the health of these individuals. A particular issue relates to the use of alcohol and other substances and the effects and interactions with prescribed medication.
These Outreach Services are provided to older adults in retirement homes, through referrals from elder affairs, AARP, consultations at physicians' offices, congregate living facilities, senior citizen home, Day/Evening programs for the elderly, faith-based organizations, family homes, medical clinics, hospitals, aging and adult programs, and the Social Security office.