Inpatient and out patient programming for older adults often needs to have a different focus to programming that is aimed at young adults. Although older patients may be involved in the use of drugs of abuse, more often their substance abuse problems are focussed on the use of alcohol and prescription drugs, both psychoactive drugs and analgesics. Traditional AA and 12-step programs may not meet the needs of these patients. The approach may not engage them, and also for many medically ill and disabled patients, coming in for meetings on a regular basis may not be possible. Older patients may not relate well to younger patients in these settings, and do better if they can be in with a peer group. Many older adults have been involved with traditional programs for many years, and these are not meeting their needs. A more focussed, didactic approach may be better suited to older adults, and although there is some early research on this approach, more work still needs to be done. This session will focus on the various methods of programming available for older adults, and the advantages and disadvantages will be discussed, as well as practical approaches to this population.
Back to S088 Issues in the Management of Substance Abuse in Older Adults
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