 |
|
Foreward to Aging and Addiction
by Barry McCaffrey
(CONTINUED from Part 1)
Currently, 98% of the $10 billion spent on hospital admissions for older adults with alcohol and medication addiction are expenditures for the consequences of that disease, such as hip fractures, liver and kidney disease, depression, gastrointestinal problems, dementia, and a host of other health problems. Less than 2% is actually spent on the treating the primary illness of addiction. Many of the symptoms of addiction mimic other illnesses and are sometimes overlooked, making it less likely that the older adult will receive proper treatment.
How serious is alcohol and medication dependence among older adults compared to other diseases they may suffer from? The American Medical Association reported in September, 1998 that more older adults are admitted to hospitals for alcohol and drug related illnesses or injuries than for heart problems! A correlation between age-related morbidity and abuse of prescription likely exists. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that elderly persons, for example, Òwho take benzodiazepines are at increased risk for falls causing hip and thigh fractures as well as for vehicle accidents. Cognitive impairment also is associated with benzodiazepine use, although memory impairment may be reversible when the drug is discontinued."
The medical profession needs to be ever vigilant on prescribing medication for older adults. Data from the Veterans Affairs Hospital System suggest that Òelderly patients may be prescribed inappropriately high doses of medications such as benzodiazepines and may be prescribed these medications for longer periods than are younger adults. In general, older people should be prescribed lower doses of medications, because the body's ability to metabolize many medications decreases with age."
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse Research Report Series on Prescription Drugs: Abuse and Addiction, ÒThe misuse of prescription drugs may be the most common form of drug abuse among the elderly. Elderly persons use prescription medications approximately three times as frequently as the general population and have been found to have the poorest rates of compliance with directions for taking a medication."
We need to ask not what will it cost America to address the health issue of older adult addiction, but what will it cost America for not providing education and treatment for older adults and their families?
One of the goals of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy is "to help people stop using drugs and maintain drug-free lifestyles while achieving productive functioning within families, at work, and in society. Providing access to treatment...is a worthwhile endeavor. It is both compassionate public policy and a sound investment." Aging and Addiction is "a sound investment" for an entire generation. It helps families dispel their fears with responsible, loving action that respects and supports the needs of their loves ones, without bullying or shaming, so that their elders can rediscover wholesome and robust living.
Aging and Addiction is the most definite book today on helping older Americans with alcohol and medication dependence. It will serve as a benchmark for any future publications on this or related subjects. Colleran and Jay provide exhaustive research, information, and experience to help families identify health problems related to dependencies and take constructive, respectful action. For anyone, sandwiched between two generations, caring for their young and their elders, this book provides a sensible, caring approach to one's concern for their aging parents, relatives or friends. Though this book is intended primarily to help families and friends of older adults through the confusion, sorrow, and darkness of addiction to hope and recovery, physicians, clergy, psychiatrists, pharmacists, social workers, and caregivers can benefit immensely from it.
Aging and Addiction will not only help saves lives, but enrich them as well.