SAMHSA 2002 Press Releases


	SAMHSA News Release

	Date:	April 3, 2002
	Contact:	Josie Graziadio (301) 443-1838; NCOA CONTACT: Scott Parkin, (202) 479-6975



	Substance Abuse & Mental Health Problems Are Serious Issues for Older Adults New Guide Offers Solutions

	The National Council on the Aging Two frequently overlooked health problems among older adults are the inadvertent misuse and abuse of alcohol and medications. Mental health problems - depression and anxiety - also are often overlooked among adults over age 65. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and The National Council on the Aging (NCOA) have teamed up to help respond to these issues by releasing today a guide for community-based organizations that help seniors. The new guide, Promoting Older Adult Health: Aging Network Partnerships to Address Medication, Alcohol and Mental Health Problems, provides concrete, practical guidance for mental health, substance abuse, primary care and aging services providers to help them join together to provide education, prevention, screening, referrals, and treatment for seniors experiencing or at risk for substance abuse and mental health problems. "As many as 17 percent of older adults are affected by alcohol and/or prescription drug misuse, and an estimated 20 percent of older adults experience mental disorders that are not a normal part of aging. Yet, older adults often are reluctant to seek help for these preventable and treatable problems," said SAMHSA Administrator Charles Curie. "This new guide helps facilitate collaborations among mental health, substance abuse, and aging services providers to the benefit of millions of older Americans." "By providing these connections, we can more successfully identify older adults who are at risk for problems with alcohol, medication, and mental health and connect them with the prevention, education, outreach, and treatment services that can dramatically improve their lives," said James P. Firman, president and CEO of The National Council on the Aging. "There are innovative program models and creative funding strategies described in this book, however, the real success of this joint effort will be measured in the improved quality of life for countless millions of older Americans, both today and for decades to come." The guide identifies programs across the country that are linking with community partners to provide seniors with needed support without requiring individual organizations to commit large amounts of staff time or money. It highlights how these programs operate and offers lessons from their successes. Finally, it shows how a direct approach to addressing medication, alcohol and mental health problems among older adults can enhance the capabilities of aging services and foster healthy aging in older adults. The guide is based on findings of a national search by the NCOA to identify exemplary programs that make the needed service linkages. Fifteen programs are profiled in depth and an additional 25 noted. National and state contact information is provided to aid organizations find resources and advice. The publication (DHHS Publication No. MS 02-3628) is available free from SAMHSA's National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI). Call 1-800-729-6686 or 1-800 487-4889 TDD (for hearing impaired).

	The National Council on the Aging is the nation's first national, nonprofit group of people and organizations dedicated to promoting the dignity, independence, well-being, and contributions of older people. NCOA's members include senior centers, area agencies on aging, adult day services, faith congregations, senior housing, health centers, employment services, and consumer organizations.

	The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a public health agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the lead federal agency for improving the quality and availability of substance abuse prevention, addiction treatment and mental health services in the United States. Information on SAMHSA's programs is available on this website, www.samhsa.gov. News media requests should be directed to Media Services at (800) 487-4890.