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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Lisa C. Patton, PhD and Dianne McElroy, MA. Westat, 1650 Research Boulevard, RA 1154, Rockville, MD 20850, (301)517-4093, lisapatton@westat.com

Older adults are uniquely vulnerable to alcohol and other drug problems due to the biological, psychological, and social changes that accompany the aging process. Current research indicates that as many as 17 percent of the older adult population misuse and abuse alcohol and prescription medications, and mental illness is estimated to affect at least one in five persons over the age of 65.

Consequently, a range of disabilities and impairment can result, including hampered independence and functioning, a comprised quality of life, poor health outcomes, cognitive impairment, increased mortality, and increased caregiver stress. These risk factors, coupled with a projected increase of persons over age 65 from 13 percent today to 20 percent by the year 2030, highlight the need for targeted prevention and treatment interventions. Without the identification, broad dissemination, and implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs) for older adults, this vulnerable population faces delivery of services that are intuitive, unsystematic and possibly ineffective or harmful.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) seeks to bridge the science to service gap through the identification and national dissemination of effective evidence-based programs and practices aimed at preventing and/or treating mental health and substance use disorders. Delivery of effective and reliable services to older adults can decrease the disabilities and impairments associated with mental health problems and substance abuse in late life, while increasing the quality of life for this rapidly growing population.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn how the delivery of effective and reliable services to older adults can decrease the disabilities and impairments associated with mental health problems and substance abuse in late life, while increasing the quality of life for this rapidly growing population;
• Discuss how potential programs are rated by qualified independent reviewers and discuss NREPP-approved effective programs; and
• Understand how NREPP-approved effective programs or practices marketed and disseminated nationally can improve services to older adults in participants’ communities and organizations.

Keywords: Evidence Based Practice, Elderly

Related Web page: www.samhsa.gov/olderadultstac

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered