Alcohol, Medication and Older Adults
For Those Who Care About or Care for an Older Adult

Introduction - Page 1 of 1

Who Can Use This Information

This program is for people who are concerned about older adults they know. You could be a:

We want to give you information, tools, and resources to assist you in improving the life of someone you care for and about. Taking care of an older adult can be overwhelming. You may not know where to start looking for help. Perhaps you are seeing a decline in physical or mental abilities or a disturbing behavior change. We want to increase your awareness about alcohol and medication misuse in older adults. Do not overlook this as a possible explanation of the changes you may see.

This information does not replace the need to talk to the doctor of the person you are concerned about. When you approach the doctor, you will be aware and well informed about some of the important issues.

What You Can Expect To Learn

Module 1: Overview

Learn about the issues of alcohol and medication use and misuse for older adults. Understand why the problem goes unrecognized.

Module 2: Alcohol

Understand more about alcohol use and its effects on older adults. Understand the risks associated with alcohol use in older adults and life changes unique to older adults that contribute to problems with alcohol use.

Module 3: Prescription and Over-The-Counter Medications

Learn about the problems related to prescription and over-the-counter drug misuse. Explore why older adults can have problems with some prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

Module 4: Barriers to Recognizing Problems

Learn why the problem of alcohol and medication misuse among older adults is so difficult to recognize. Demonstrate your ability to confront this issue with a case study.

Module 5: Signs and Symptoms of Misuse

Discover some of the common signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse. Recognize the warning signs of prescription drug misuse.

Module 6: Talking About Sensitive Issues

Understand some of the challenges of speaking to older adults about sensitive issues like alcohol use. Learn tips on how to get the conversation started and how to respond to possible reactions. Take the opportunity to practice with a case study.

Module 7: Assessing a Problem

Find out how to approach an older adult who may have a problem with alcohol or medication use. Examine some simple tools you can use to assess problems of alcohol and depression in older adults.

Module 8: Preventing Misuse

Recognize how to prevent alcohol and medication misuse in older adults. Review tips on the safe use of alcohol and who should never drink alcohol. Discover tools for managing safe medication use.

Module 9: Intervention and Treatment

Educate yourself on the options for treating alcohol and medication problems. Understand different treatment approaches to see what may work for someone close to you.

Supplements

Find printable versions (PDF's) of the various charts, questionnaires and forms used in this course.

Resources

Discover resources to help and support you. There is a wide range of agencies, publications, and web sites that focus on information and assistance for older adults and their families.

Summary

Alcohol and medication misuse can have serious effects, particularly on older adults. Recognizing and treating these problems can give older adults more productive and healthier lives. Preventing misuse through education can preserve and extend lives.

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