Implement age-sensitive group treatment approaches to meet the needs and preferences of older adults. Older adults, regardless of their gender, tend to be more private and concerned about the amount of personal information they will share in a mixed-age group environment. They may not be comfortable sharing their problems with younger adults, 276. Health care providers must be patient when treating older people. Sometimes, providers have to repeat conversation topics several times before the patient fully understands the message.
If communication requires too much repetition, healthcare providers should slow down their speech and speak more clearly until the client can understand. Older patients may also take longer to react during conversations. Involving caregivers throughout treatment and ongoing recovery improves retention and treatment outcomes in people with SUDS syndrome. Inpatient and residential treatment programs must create an environment that is easy for older adults to manage.
Older adults are more likely than younger adults to visit their healthcare providers to discuss and receive treatment for numerous medical and health-related problems. For example, they can help older adults who have mobility problems and cognitive impairments that make it difficult for them to follow treatment and recovery plans without support. Although many have heard the phrase “respect your elders”, this feeling is essential during treatment. The consensus panel recommends that workforce development strategies be implemented to create or improve age-sensitive and age-appropriate treatment for older adults with sleep disorders.
Use the tools and resources available online to talk with your loved one about the type of treatment they are receiving and where they would like to receive it. Advance care planning is a process that allows a person to express their wishes for care, treatment levels, and acceptable health outcomes. Incorporating age-appropriate and age-specific treatment practices into your program is important to attract older clients and improve their retention in treatment. This includes establishing age-sensitive and age-specific outreach policies and practices, universal screening for substance abuse, and improving client access and flow throughout the care process, from detection to brief intervention and referral or admission to treatment for SUD and ongoing care.
Diagnosis and treatment planning are different for older adults who have a history of substance abuse (early onset) and for those who have problems only later in life (late onset). Therefore, this advice provides general principles of care that can serve as the basis for a flexible approach to the treatment of substance abuse among older adults on an age and age basis. Recognize the importance of establishing a collaborative relationship as the primary mechanism for engaging clients in treatment and supporting behavior change. Participating in health risk reduction practices is an important and viable option for older adults and is consistent with age-sensitive treatment practices.
