Saturday night supper party Aug. 28
By
Suzanne Hopkins-
Saturday night supper party at the Senior Center
Join us Aug. 28 from 5-9 p.m. for a Saturday night supper party with great food, Corn Hole and Bid Euchre. We’ll be serving baked steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, bread and butter, beverage and dessert. Tickets are $5 in advance or $6 at the door. You may make a reservation and pick up your ticket at the door at the advance ticket price. For reservations, call 393-4745 or stop by the Center.
Facing a growing population of senior substance abusers
Substance abuse among those age 60 and older, including misuse of prescription drugs, currently affects about 17 percent of this population. A study from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reveals that between 1992 and 2008 the proportion of substance abuse treatment admissions involving older Americans (age 50 and older) nearly doubled, from 6.6 percent of all admissions in 1992 to 12.2 percent in 2008. The study also shows a sharp rise during this period in the proportion of older Americans admissions related to illicit drug abuse, even though alcohol abuse is still the leading cause for admissions involving this age group.
By 2020, the number of older adults with substance abuse problems is expected to double. The question is, as the aging network faces an ever-growing population, how do we identify and help clients who are abusing alcohol, drugs or both?
Behavioral health professionals statewide agree that substance abuse among older adults is a growing concern, but it’s hard to find accurate numbers because it is a hidden problem. Substance abuse among older adults can be difficult to detect when an older person lives alone or is isolated. Friends and family may be reluctant to even consider that there may be a problem, and medical evaluations often do not reveal substance abuse. Sandy Calvert, program director for Making Prevention Work for Older Americans, reported medication and alcohol abuse in older adults is difficult to detect because it mimics the normal signs of aging and conditions commonly diagnosed in older adults, such as dementia.
Primary care physicians may not have enough information to screen their older adult clients for substance abuse.
According to Minda Jaramillo, supervisor of Recovery Resources’ older adult treatment program, studies show that when health professionals ask their patients about their alcohol or other drug use and explain how misuse affects their health and well-being, people with drug use disorders are much more likely to seek help.
In her experience, substance abuse is something that is constantly overlooked when older adults see their primary care physicians.
Multiple systems, including those in the aging network and the behavioral health fields, have to work together to meet the needs of the older population. According to David Ross, director of Program Planning & Evaluation for the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Ashland County, the behavioral health field is pursuing ways to partner with the aging network and other systems so that older adults can get their needs met in an environment of their choice.
Initiatives like “Healthy IDEAS” and the “Vial of Life” have been opportunities for collaboration in Ohio.
Programs that address the needs of older substance abusers vary from county to county. Anyone interested in the availability of substance abuse services in their county should contact the local mental health or drug alcohol board for a listing of providers.[[In-content Ad]]
Join us Aug. 28 from 5-9 p.m. for a Saturday night supper party with great food, Corn Hole and Bid Euchre. We’ll be serving baked steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, bread and butter, beverage and dessert. Tickets are $5 in advance or $6 at the door. You may make a reservation and pick up your ticket at the door at the advance ticket price. For reservations, call 393-4745 or stop by the Center.
Facing a growing population of senior substance abusers
Substance abuse among those age 60 and older, including misuse of prescription drugs, currently affects about 17 percent of this population. A study from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reveals that between 1992 and 2008 the proportion of substance abuse treatment admissions involving older Americans (age 50 and older) nearly doubled, from 6.6 percent of all admissions in 1992 to 12.2 percent in 2008. The study also shows a sharp rise during this period in the proportion of older Americans admissions related to illicit drug abuse, even though alcohol abuse is still the leading cause for admissions involving this age group.
By 2020, the number of older adults with substance abuse problems is expected to double. The question is, as the aging network faces an ever-growing population, how do we identify and help clients who are abusing alcohol, drugs or both?
Behavioral health professionals statewide agree that substance abuse among older adults is a growing concern, but it’s hard to find accurate numbers because it is a hidden problem. Substance abuse among older adults can be difficult to detect when an older person lives alone or is isolated. Friends and family may be reluctant to even consider that there may be a problem, and medical evaluations often do not reveal substance abuse. Sandy Calvert, program director for Making Prevention Work for Older Americans, reported medication and alcohol abuse in older adults is difficult to detect because it mimics the normal signs of aging and conditions commonly diagnosed in older adults, such as dementia.
Primary care physicians may not have enough information to screen their older adult clients for substance abuse.
According to Minda Jaramillo, supervisor of Recovery Resources’ older adult treatment program, studies show that when health professionals ask their patients about their alcohol or other drug use and explain how misuse affects their health and well-being, people with drug use disorders are much more likely to seek help.
In her experience, substance abuse is something that is constantly overlooked when older adults see their primary care physicians.
Multiple systems, including those in the aging network and the behavioral health fields, have to work together to meet the needs of the older population. According to David Ross, director of Program Planning & Evaluation for the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Ashland County, the behavioral health field is pursuing ways to partner with the aging network and other systems so that older adults can get their needs met in an environment of their choice.
Initiatives like “Healthy IDEAS” and the “Vial of Life” have been opportunities for collaboration in Ohio.
Programs that address the needs of older substance abusers vary from county to county. Anyone interested in the availability of substance abuse services in their county should contact the local mental health or drug alcohol board for a listing of providers.[[In-content Ad]]