Addictions among older persons.

         Canada's population is aging rapidly and working with older persons is becoming a more important facet of social work. As people live longer it is more pressing that older persons health is approached with a holistic sense; one that incorporates the mental and the physical (Neysmith, 2003, p. 187 ). It can be argued that aging is socially constructed in a narrow manner to be considered an issue of physical deterioration, which puts a greater importance on physical well-being rather than mental well-being. (Neysmith, 2003, p. 187 ).

          It does not garner much attention but older persons are susceptible to addictions, just as a younger person is. Furthermore, addictions among older persons are regularly overlooked by medical professionals (Kermode-Scott, 1995, p. 166 ). This may be because an older person is more likely to be addicted to over the counter medications, prescription drugs, alcohol and nicotine (Kermode-Scott, 1995, p. 166 ) In addition, older persons often have more trouble admitting and talking about addictions  (Kermode-Scott, 1995, p. 166).

          Alcohol dependency also affects older persons but to a lesser extent than younger persons (Kermode-Scott, 1995, p. 166 ). In a general sense, there are many reasons why alcoholism may go unnoticed among older persons (Cohen, 1988, p. 725). Older persons are devalued by society and ignored (Cohen, 1988, p. 725).   This, coupled with generally negative passive attitudes towards older persons with alcoholism, means that it may be easier for family members and care providers to institutionalize them (Cohen, 1988, p. 725). Also older persons may live alone, which makes it hard for medical professionals to make diagnosis in the early stages of alcoholism (Cohen, 1988, p. 725). In addition, many symptoms or problems of growing older and alcoholism are shared, making it difficult to diagnose (Cohen, 1988, p. 725). Symptoms overlap, such as memory loss, depression, or general confusion (Cohen, 1988, p. 725).

 

         In treating older persons with alcohol or other addictions, attention must be given to age when planning intervention strategies (Cohen, 1988, p. 727). It may not be appropriate, for example, to take an 80 year old person and put them in a support group with a 30 year old person (Cohen, 1988, p. 725).

         A CBC news report discussed the conclusions of a workshop run by the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba in Winnipeg (“Substance abuse,” 2008). It consisted of a diverse group of 140 people (“Substance abuse,” 2008). They reached the conclusion that “Substance abuse among seniors has become a silent epidemic”, (“Substance abuse,” 2008). According to the Educator who ran the workshop, about 10 percent of older persons in Manitoba either abuse alcohol or medications, or both (“Substance abuse,” 2008). The Addictions Foundation of Manitoba predicts that by the year 2020, the population of older persons who will be requiring treatment for addiction will be three times the current population (“Substance abuse,” 2008).

         In Winnipeg there is age appropriate help available for older persons with substance abuse issues; just click on the following links to see details: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hc-ps/pubs/adp-apd/treat_senior-trait_ainee/inventory-3-inventaire-eng.php. Unfortunately there appears to be a lack of age appropriate help available in Manitoba as this was one the few programs easily locatable on the internet.

         I believe that it is very important that Manitoba's realize the necessity of age appropriate programs for older persons who abuse substances. I would not have naturally assumed this could be a big issue among older persons so I was surprised to see it could be. It is another issue that social works students should be well versed in, and know how to recognize the signs of substance abuse, for those of us that wish to pursue working with older persons.

         I have many older family members but as far I know none of them have substance or alcohol abuse problems. I can see how it would easily happen; perhaps simple boredom could lead to substance abuse. When I first turned 18, I did see some examples of older persons who potentially had addictions issues. I spent a brief few months working at the local bar in my home town and I got to know what days the pension cheques were issued because certain older persons would frequent the bar to spend their pension money. I remember one older individual who would come in with the smell of rum under their breath, order a few drinks and deposit 200 dollars into the Video Lottery Terminals. I remember one night this person spent only 15 minutes in the bar. During that time, they consumed 2 glasses of rum, and wasted 200 dollars in the VLT machines. After losing their money, the individual stormed out to their car and rapidly accelerated out of there, spinning gravel and other debris everywhere. I did not feel too good about working there that night. I wondered about the harm and suffering VLT machines, placed by out government, cause, when coupled with alcohol.

David Hayward

References

        Cohen, S., (1988). Alcoholism in the elderly.  Canadian Family Physician, (34), 723-731. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.proxy2.lib.umanitoba.ca/pmc/articles/PMC2219040/pdf/canfamphys00169-0231.pdf?tool=pmcentrez

        Kermode-Scott, B. (1995) Always assess the elderly for addictions. Canadian Family Physician, (41), 166 – 167. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.proxy2.lib.umanitoba.ca/pmc/articles/PMC2145976/pdf/canfamphys00083-0168.pdf?tool=pmcentrez      

        Neysmith, S. (2003) Caring and aging: Exposing the policy issues.  In A. Westhues (Ed.),  Canadian social policy: Issues and perspectives (pp. 182-199). Waterloo, ON: Wilfrid Laurier University Press.  

Substance abuse among seniors rising: addictions foundation. (2008, February).  CBC News.  Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2008/02/22/seniors-addictions.html