Older Adults Overlooked in the Opioid Abuse Crisis

Older adults are often a vulnerable and overlooked demographic when addressing the opioid abuse crisis in America. Considering the threefold increase in overdose deaths among older adults, there is a pressing need to address care concerns and navigate the challenges associated with this demographic. Forty percent of Delaware's population is over the age of 50, and 80 percent of those over the age of 50 are using two or more prescription medications, so educating clients and raising awareness for prescribers is vital.

Caron Treatment Center, a nationally recognized provider of mental health and addiction treatment services, has joined forces with Delaware's Behavioral Health Consortium to improve education for those assisting and caring for older adults in Delaware. This initiative aims to create and deliver a comprehensive toolkit and resource guide for individuals and professionals working with older adults.

Over the next 18 months, the team will gather insights into the attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, and knowledge gaps prevalent among older adults and their medical and professional caregivers.

Please consider participating. At the end of the survey, you can enter a drawing to win one of five Amazon gift cards. Click HERE to start the survey. This is not an AARP survey and AARP will not benefit from the results.

Klaus Tiedge Fotografie