Depression often goes unrecognized and untreated in older adults, making it a significant public health concern. Aging leads to unique challenges such as isolation, the loss of loved ones and various health problems, all of which contribute to feelings of sadness and loneliness. Moreover, these emotional struggles can sometimes...
Chronic loneliness affects at least one in five Americans, and it’s a special concern for the elderly: over 40 percent of senior adults say they feel lonely “on a regular basis.” Complicating the problem, seniors are already more susceptible to health problems such as high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, and...
As the population ages in the US, concerns about physical and mental health grow among these individuals as well as their families. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SMHSA) says that over the past 10 years, there has been a 33% increase in the number of adults...
Mixing Drugs and Alcohol: An Unsafe Decision Having just one drink while taking drugs of any kind, including prescription medications, can have a significant impact on your health. Some mixtures of drugs and alcohol can even have lethal consequences. It is critical to be aware of the hidden dangers of...
Whether it’s problem drinking or the misuse of prescription medication, substance use is a significant problem for older adults – in fact, it is one of the fastest growing health issues in the United States. This pattern of behavior often goes unchecked because people are unlikely to confront older...
Older and immunocompromised Americans are at the most significant risk of contracting and succumbing to the coronavirus. Seeing as many people in addiction recovery are elderly, many of whom have compromised immune systems from misusing drugs and alcohol, older individuals in the program are at even higher risk.The COVID-19...
Last week, we covered the topic of young people in the grips of addiction and the options available for those who desire recovery. We shared the benefits of seeking age-specific addiction treatment services as well.This week we’d like to share the fact that many older adults, retirees, or those...
Our focus in the field of addiction medicine is most often on young people. Stemming the tide of alcohol and substance use disorder is crucial to preventing men and women from having severe health problems later in life. It is vital to encourage individuals to ask for help when...
