A nursing home in the Bronx, New York, is addressing addiction issues in its elderly patients, the Associated Press reports. Staff members screen patients for addiction when they come in for rehab after a hospital stay, and offer treatment to those who need it.
The issue of addiction in the elderly is growing as the number of baby boomers increases, the article notes. One study has predicted that the number of Americans over 50 with abuse problems is expected to reach 5.7 million by 2020.
The Jewish Home Lifecare nursing home has set aside eight beds for addiction treatment, and expects that number to grow to 480 patients a year. The program is designed to reach elderly people addicted to drugs or alcohol who might not otherwise seek help. The nursing home combines physical, occupational and psychological therapy with counseling for patients dealing with addiction.
Full story of addiction in nursing home patients at drugfree.org