|
This is an archive page. The links are no longer being updated.
PRESS RELEASE
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
| Monday, June 30, 2003 |
Contact: AoA Press Office
(202) 401-4541 |
HHS and NCOA Issue New Resource to Improve
Health of Older Adults
The Administration on Aging and the Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration today announced the availability
of the Get Connected! Linking Older Adults with Medication,
Alcohol and Mental Health Resource toolkit. These new materials will help
providers in the aging services community better cope with issues
related to medications, alcohol and emotional problems among older
people, and learn how best to provide the knowledge and support
they need to deal effectively with these issues.
The Get Connected: Linking Older Adults with Medical, Alcohol
and Mental Health Resources Toolkit was developed by a partnership
among the Administration on Aging (AoA) and the Substance Abuse
and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in HHS, and
the National Council on Aging (NCOA) to help services providers
for older adults identify, educate and screen the elderly for
potential emotional and substance use problems.
“While most Americans continue to live active, engaged
lives, too many still struggle with alcohol, drug and mental health
problems,” Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G.
Thompson said. “This new toolkit offers useful information
and resources to allow social service providers to help older
adults overcome these problems and live happier and healthier.”
“At any stage of life, emotional problems, alcohol and
drugs can pose a threat to health, happiness and longevity,”
said SAMHSA Administrator Charles G. Curie. “The good news
is that when an emotional or substance use issue is identified,
it often can be resolved successfully. The Get Connected toolkit
addresses the needs of this population by promoting new linkages
that will help older adults gain access to needed substance
abuse
and mental health services.”
Older Americans make up fewer than 13 percent of the population,
but receive between 25 and 30 percent of all prescriptions and
account for more than half of the hospitalizations resulting from
drug reactions. Seventeen percent of older adults experience problems
with abuse of alcohol or misuse of prescription drugs, and 20%
of the mental health problems experienced by those over 55 are
not part of the normal aging process.
Assistant Secretary for Aging Josefina G. Carbonell said: “Too
many of our elders struggle to cope with difficult life situations
or mental health and substance abuse concerns that negatively
affect their ability to participate fully in life. This exciting
collaboration between SAMHSA, AoA and NCOA makes important information
and resources available that can enhance the well-being of all
older Americans.”
“Many of our members, along with organizations in the aging
network, will find this toolkit invaluable, said James Firman,
President and CEO of NCOA. “It will undoubtedly help millions
of older adults, as well as engage aging services providers to
partner with those in the substance abuse and mental health community.”
The entire kit can be ordered by calling SAMHSA’s Clearinghouse
at (800) 729-6686. Components of the kit include: fact sheets,
a video, consumer brochures, training guides and curricula and
a services resource guide.
| Last Modified: 7/16/2009 9:06:11 AM |
|