Responding to Older Adults with Substance Use, Mental Health and Gambling Challenges

Responding to Older Adults helps workers and volunteers recognize and understand substance use, mental health and gambling problems in older adults. This concise, easy-to-read booklet describes problems with alcohol, anxiety, dementia, depression, gambling and medications in older people, and identifies the signs of each problem. Tips on talking with older adults with these problems are included, as are pointers on when to seek help.

The guide also includes:

• facts about the aging process
• a discussion of diversity issues
• lists of organizations offering information about services for older adults
• further resources on the web and in print.

This booklet encourages readers to respond to older adults with mental health and addiction problems in ways that help to build trust, reduce harm and provide access to specialized care, when needed. Practical strategies are offered to help readers deal with challenging behaviours and situations—sensitively and effectively.

Contents

Introduction

1 The Nature of Aging

• Aging myths and facts
• Discussing diversity

2 Substance Use, Mental Health and Gambling Challenges in Older Adults

• Alcohol problems
• Anxiety
• Dementia
• Depression
• Gambling problems
• Medication issues

3 Communication Tools and Techniques

• Extra resources

Acknowledgments

• Print
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