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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

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