Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-tf8b9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-30T23:22:48.487Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Chemical Dependency in the Elderly: The Enabling Factor

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Ellen M. Tabisz
Affiliation:
St. Boniface General Hospital
William R. Jacyk
Affiliation:
University of Manitoba
Don Fuchs
Affiliation:
University of Manitoba
Ruby Grymonpre
Affiliation:
University of Manitoba

Abstract

Chemical dependency in the elderly has been recognized as a serious problem since the early 1960s. Few practitioners however, have developed intervention or treatment programs for this age group. The Elders Health Program, a research demonstration project, established the fact that the problem of enabling behaviours had to be addressed. Active family and professional enablers became significant factors influencing the design of intervention and treatment programs.

Résumé

On reconnaît la gravité du problème de la chimiodépendance chez les personnes âgées depuis le début des années 1960. Par contre, peu de praticiens ont élaboré des programmes d'intervention ou de traitement destinés à ce groupe d'âge. C'est en mettant au point un projet de recherche appliquée, le Programme de services de santé aux aînés, que l'on s'est rendu compte qu'il fallait se pencher sur le problème des comportements de médiation. La médiation active des membres de la famille et des professionnels est en effet devenue un facteur important dans la conception des programmes d'intervention et de traitement.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1993

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

Beattie, M. (1987). Codependent no more. New York: Harper & Row.Google Scholar
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, 231235.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Carlisle, John. (1991). Abuse of Prescribed Drugs. Medicine North America, 15, 19201926.Google Scholar
Cermak, T.L. (1986). Diagnostic criteria for co-dependency. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 18(1), 1519.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Christensen, K.J., Willenbring, M.L., Spring, W., & Rassmussen, R. (1986). The Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test: Validation for the elderly. The Gerontologist, 26, 67a.Google Scholar
Cooperstock, R., & Parnell, P. (1982). Research of psychotropic drug use: A review of findings and methods. Social Science Medicine, 16, 11791196.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Droller, H. (1964, July). Some aspects of alcoholism in the elderly. The Lancet, 137139.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jacyk, William R., Tabisz, Ellen, Badger, Mark, & Fuchs, Don. (1991). Chemical Dependency in the Elderly: Identification Phase. Canadian Journal on Aging, 10(1), 1017.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lexchin, J. (1989). Prescribing to the elderly: A review of the English language Canadian literature. Canadian Family Physician, 35, 16131617.Google Scholar
Lindblom, L., Kostyk, D., Tabisz, E., Jacyk, W.R., & Fuchs, D. (1992). Chemical abuse: An intervention program for the elderly. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 18(A), 614.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Meagher, M.D. (1987). Beginning of a miracle: How to intervene with the addict or alcoholic person. Pompano Beach, FL: Health Communications, Inc.Google Scholar
Mellinger, G.D., Baiter, M.B., & Uhlenhuth, E.H. (1984). Prevalence and correlates of long-term regular use of anxiolytics. Journal of Americal Association, 251, 375379.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mishara, B.L. (1985). What we know, don't know and need to know about older alcoholics and how to help them: Models of prevention and treatment. In Got-theil, E., Druley, K.A., Skoloda, T.E., & Waxman, H.M. (Eds.), The combined problems of alcoholism, drug addiction and aging (pp. 243261). Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.Google Scholar
Morgan, K., Dallosso, H., Ebrahim, S., et al. (1988). Prevalence, frequency and duration of hypnotic drug use among the elderly living at home. British Medical Journal, 296, 601602.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Perez, V.S. (1989, March/April). Dual diagnosis in the older adult: Diagnosis and treatment issues. The Counsellor, 1213.Google Scholar
Simon, A., Epstein, L., & Reynolds, L. (1968). Alcoholism in the geriatric mentally ill. Geriatrics, 23, 125131.Google ScholarPubMed
Statistics Canada. (1981). The health of Canadians: A report of the Canada health survey. Ottawa: Minister of Supply and Services, Canada.Google Scholar
Tabisz, E., Badger, M., Meatherall, R., Jacyk, W.R., Fuchs, D., & Grymonpre, R. (1991). Identification of chemical abuse in the elderly admitted to emergency. Clinical Gerontologist, 11(2), 2738.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Whitfield, C.L. (1984, August). Co-alcoholism: Recognizing a treatable illness. Family Community Health, 7(2), 1627.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Whitney, R.B. (1983). Alcoholics in emergency rooms. Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine, 59(2), 216221.Google ScholarPubMed