Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-q99xh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T23:41:26.406Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Chemical Dependency in the Elderly: Identification Phase

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

William R. Jacyk
Affiliation:
St. Boniface General Hospital
Ellen Tabisz
Affiliation:
St. Boniface General Hospital
Mark Badger
Affiliation:
St. Boniface General Hospital
Don Fuchs
Affiliation:
University of Manitoba

Abstract

Chemical dependency in the elderly has been identified by practitioners as a serious and growing problem. This article reports on the Elders Health Program, a research and demonstration project aimed at the problem of providing appropriate services for the chemically dependent senior. It describes the development of the screening process and presents the screening tools used as part of the identification strategy. In addition, it presents the results of the epidemiological data gathered using these screening tools. Finally, the article discusses the implications of the identification strategy for intervention, treatment, and further research as identified by the project research team.

Résumé

Selon les praticiens, la dépendence sur les produits chimiques chez les aînés est un problème sérieux qui va en s'aggravant. Cet article présente un compte rendu du programme Les aînés en santé, un programme pilote conçu pour étudier les problémes de conception de services à l'intention des aînés qui souffrent de dépendence envers les drogues. Le processus et les outils de sélection utilisés pour la stratégie de dépistage sont présentés. De plus, les résultats récents de l'analyse des données épidémiologiques recueillies à l'aide de ces outils de sélection sont mentionnés. Finalement, les conséquences de cette stratégie d'identification pour l'intervention, le traitement et les futures études de recherche sont examinées.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1991

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Bush, B., Shaw, S., Cleary, P., Delbanco, T.L., & Aronson, M.D. (1987). Screening for alcohol abuse using the CAGE questionnaire. The American Journal of Medicine, 82, 231335.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Grymonpre, R.E., Mitenko, P.A., Sitar, D.S., Aoki, F.Y., & Montgomery, P.R. (1988). Drug-associated hospital admissions in older patients. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 36, 10921098.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Grymonpre, R.E., Sitar, D.S., Montgomery, P.R., Mitenko, P.A., & Aoki, F.Y. (1989). Prescribing patterns in elderly “heavy drug users” and identification of “high risk” drugs in the cohort of elderly. Manuscript submitted for publication.Google Scholar
Hartford, J.T., & Samorajski, T. (Eds.). (1984). Alcoholism in the elderly. New York: Raven Press.Google Scholar
Jacyk, W.R., & Tabisz, E. (1988). Chemical dependency in the elderly: A report to Health and Welfare Canada. Winnipeg, MB: St. Boniface General Hospital. Unpublished report.Google Scholar
Nolan, L., & O'Malley, K. (1988). Patients, prescribing, and benzodiazepines. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 35, 225229.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Selzer, M.L. (1971). The Michigan alcoholism screening test: The quest for a new diagnostic instrument. American Journal of Psychiatry, 127(12), 16531658.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sherin, K.M., Piotrowski, Z.H., Panek, S.M., & Doot, M.C. (1982). Screening for alcoholism in a community hospital. The Journal of Family Practice, 25(6), 10911095.Google Scholar
Skegg, D.C.G., Doll, R., & Perry, J. (1977). Use of medicines in general practice. British Medical Journal, 1, 15611563.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Solomon, J., Vanga, N., Morgan, J.P., & Joseph, P. (1980). Emergency-room physicians' recognition of alcohol misuse. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 41(5), 583586.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Whittington, F.J., Peterson, D.M., Dale, B., & Dressel, P.L. (1981). Sex differences in prescription drug use of older adults. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 13(2), 175183.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Willenbring, M.L., Christensen, K.J., William, W.D., & Rasmussen, R. (1987). The lifetime drinking history and the M.A.S.T. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 35, 864869.Google Scholar
Zung, B.J. (1978). Factor structure of the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 39(1), 5667.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zung, B.J. (1979). Psychometric properties of the M.A.S.T. and two briefer versions. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 40(9), 845859.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zung, B.J. (1980). Unidimensionality of the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test. British Journal of Addiction, 75, 389391.CrossRefGoogle Scholar