• Care of Southeastern Michigan white heart iconDonate
  • EAP Login
  • Programs
    • Close
    • Care of Southeastern Michigan parenting iconParents
      • Home Based Case Management
      • Parenting Classes
      • Parenting Conference
    • Care of Southeastern Michigan student and youth iconStudent & Youth
      • Mental Health
      • Substance Use Prevention
      • Critical Incident Stress Management
      • Youth Counseling & Outpatient Treatment
    • Care of Southeastern Michigan prevention services iconPrevention Services
      • Alcohol, Tobacco, & Drugs
      • Suicide & Depression
      • Advocacy
      • Summer Camps
    • Care of Southeastern Michigan clinical and treatment services iconClinical & Treatment Services
      • Outpatient
      • Counseling
      • EAP Login Portal
    • Care of Southeastern Michigan peer recovery iconPeer Recovery
      • Substance Abuse Recovery
      • Recovery Coaching
      • Peer Recovery Groups
      • Recovery United Community Center
      • Corrections
      • Peer Healthcare Collaborations
      • Project Vox
    • Care of Southeastern Michigan employee assistance program iconEmployee Assistance Programs
      • Counseling Services
      • Critical Incident Stress Management
      • Training & Professional Development
      • HR Consultation
      • DOT Training
      • EAP Login Portal
    • All Programs
  • About
    • Close
    • About CARE
    • News/Media
    • Leadership
    • Board of Directors and Ambassadors
    • History
    • Financials & Accreditation
  • Events & Calendar
    • Close
    • Signature Events
      • Parenting Conference
      • Rally 4 CARE
      • Summer Camps
    • Classes & Groups
    • All Events and Classes
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Programs
    • Close
    • Care of Southeastern Michigan parenting iconParents
      • Home Based Case Management
      • Parenting Classes
      • Parenting Conference
    • Care of Southeastern Michigan student and youth iconStudent & Youth
      • Mental Health
      • Substance Use Prevention
      • Critical Incident Stress Management
      • Youth Counseling & Outpatient Treatment
    • Care of Southeastern Michigan prevention services iconPrevention Services
      • Alcohol, Tobacco, & Drugs
      • Suicide & Depression
      • Advocacy
      • Summer Camps
    • Care of Southeastern Michigan clinical and treatment services iconClinical & Treatment Services
      • Outpatient
      • Counseling
      • EAP Login Portal
    • Care of Southeastern Michigan peer recovery iconPeer Recovery
      • Substance Abuse Recovery
      • Recovery Coaching
      • Peer Recovery Groups
      • Recovery United Community Center
      • Corrections
      • Peer Healthcare Collaborations
      • Project Vox
    • Care of Southeastern Michigan employee assistance program iconEmployee Assistance Programs
      • Counseling Services
      • Critical Incident Stress Management
      • Training & Professional Development
      • HR Consultation
      • DOT Training
      • EAP Login Portal
    • All Programs
  • About
    • Close
    • About CARE
    • News/Media
    • Leadership
    • Board of Directors and Ambassadors
    • History
    • Financials & Accreditation
  • Events & Calendar
    • Close
    • Signature Events
      • Parenting Conference
      • Rally 4 CARE
      • Summer Camps
    • Classes & Groups
    • All Events and Classes
  • Careers
  • Contact

Did you know more and more substance abusers are senior citizens?

Aging and Substance Abuse

As the Baby Boomer generation ages, the number of Americans ages 65 and older will more than double from 46 million today to over 98 million by 2060. And the 65-and-older age group’s share of the total population will rise from 15 to nearly 24 percent (Population Reference Bureau).

Older adults are the biggest consumers of prescription medications, and we are seeing increasing rates of substance abuse among seniors. This problem is likely to grow as the population ages, so it is critical that people are informed of this dangerous trend.

If you provide care for older people as a health professional or if you have an aging parent or loved one in your life, you need to know how to identify, prevent, and respond to substance abuse and misuse in older adults.

Contact us

What puts an older adult at risk for substance abuse?

There are many factors that might put an older person at risk for abusing alcohol or drugs, such as: death of a loved one, forced retirement, chronic pain, social isolation, or history of past substance abuse.

Signs of possible substance abuse among older adults may include:

  • physical injuries
  • increased tolerance to medication
  • blackouts
  • cognitive impairment
  • sleep disturbances
  • anxiety
  • depression
  • mood swings

Older adults are also at increased risk for unintentional substance abuse because they may not be able to process drugs or alcohol as quickly as younger people, placing them at increased risk for toxicity and overdose. Cognitive impairment that can accompany aging can also compromise the ability to effectively self-monitor alcohol and drug intake.

How are elderly parents supposed to keep track of all their medications?

Because so many older adults regularly take multiple prescription medications, it is not uncommon for seniors to mix-up medications or forget if they’ve taken one or not. If you are 55 or older, below are several simple tips for your or your caregiver that can help avoid substance use problems:

  • Educate yourself about your health conditions and the medicines you take.
  • Make a medication list that includes all your medications, including over-the-counter and supplements, the prescribing provider, purpose of each medicine, dosage, refills, side effects, warnings, and proper storage
  • Use one pharmacy so records of all your medications are in one place
  • Check expiration dates and dispose of expired medications
  • Keep all medications in the packaging they came in so information is readily available.
"CARE helped me to find a huge part of who I am. I love everything that I do with them, and I can’t wait to have a career where I get to do that sort of thing every day. That is the reason that I want to be a social worker."
Care of Southeastern Michigan Testimonials - Shalynn R High School Senior
Care of Southeastern Michigan clinical treatment services aging and substance abuse

How CARE can help

CARE provides special educational programming on aging and substance abuse to older adults, as well as for caregivers and healthcare workers. CARE can help connect seniors with appropriate resources and treatment and educate them about the changes they face as they get older — including how their response to medications and alcohol changes, memory issues, etc. We will even provide this programming at a scheduled home visit if a senior is unable to come to CARE’s offices due to transportation or mobility issues.

Do you have an older adult in your life who you care about? Connect with CARE at (586) 541-2273 so we can hep.

We don’t give up on anyone. We’re here when you’re ready.

Events & Classes

  • Relapse Prevention
  • Persons in Recovery
  • Seeking Safety - Women
  • Persons in Recovery

Resources

  • There are currently no resources.

Related Topics

  • There are currently no related topics.

Donate

Help us make an impact

By supporting CARE of Southeastern Michigan, you’re helping people directly address substance abuse and other issues in their lives and communities—effectively and through proven strategies.
Give

News

Narcan 101: How to use it, why it works and how to get it

Read

get our latest news

Sign up for the latest news and updates from CARE.

Contact Us

  • Email
  • 586.541.2273
  • Address

Hours

  • Monday: 8:30am-8:30pm
  • Tuesday: 8:30am-8:30pm
  • Wednesday: 8:30am-5pm
  • Thursday: 8:30am-8:30pm
  • Friday: 8:30am-1pm

Follow Us

  • Parents
  • Student & Youth
  • Prevention Services
  • Clinical & Treatment Services
  • Peer Recovery
  • Employee Assistance Programs
  • About
  • Donate
  • Contact
  • EAP Login

© Copyright 2023 Care of Southeastern Michigan. All rights reserved.

Sitemap Terms Website Design by FWD