‘Studies have shown the greatest increases in rates of cannabis use among older adults.’
Ethical Dilemmas in Counseling Older Adults on Cannabis Use: Less Science, More Quandaries
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Help for Primary Care Practitioners in Addressing Older Adult Alcohol and Opioid Use
‘From 2015 to 2016, 19 percent of older adults filled at least one opioid prescription.’
Caring for Aging Veterans with Alcohol Use Disorder and Multiple Morbidities
Aging veterans with alcohol use disorder and multiple morbidities face a complex slate of needs.
Why Older Adults Should Quit Tobacco and How They Can
Health improvements can be immediate, and multiple effective treatments exist.
Substance Use Is a Critical Health and Mental Health Issue for Older Adults
Limited research on substance use among elders compromises uptake of evidence-based practices.
Caring for Older Adults Post-incarceration
Substance use disorders and multiple morbidities present a complex picture.
Can Innovative Technologies Improve Behavioral Health Care for Older Adults?
Telehealth can benefit elders, but must be tailored to their needs.
Something to Talk About: Reducing Risk in Alcohol Consumption Using Education and Conversation
‘How much alcohol is too much alcohol for older adults?’
Prevalence and Correlates of Methamphetamine Use Among Older Men Who Have Sex with Men in San Francisco
This population’s needs are often overlooked given assumptions that older adults do not engage in substance use.
Smokeless Tobacco Use in Older South and Southeast Asian Americans
The need for screening and culturally responsive interventions is key with smokeless tobacco use.
InsideWinter 2020-21Generations Journal
Generations Journal, vol. 44, no. 4 (Winter 2020-21)
Ethical Dilemmas in Counseling Older Adults on Cannabis Use: Less Science, More Quandaries
Abstract: The last quarter century has witnessed rapid expansion in legal access to cannabis for medical and recreational purposes. Downstream effects have impacted all age groups, although major research gaps persist on the benefits and risks of cannabis use,...
Help for Primary Care Practitioners in Addressing Older Adult Alcohol and Opioid Use
Abstract: Unhealthy alcohol and opioid use are growing problems among older adults who are at increased risk for harms from both alcohol and opioid use. Primary care practices can play an important role in addressing this problem, but need support in implementing...
Caring for Aging Veterans with Alcohol Use Disorder and Multiple Morbidities
Abstract: This case emphasizes the complex needs of aging veterans with multiple medical illnesses, mental health problems, and substance-related disorders, and highlights Veteran Administration treatment models designed to deliver care to this population. Key...
Why Older Adults Should Quit Tobacco and How They Can
Abstract: There are proven health benefits in quitting tobacco use in older adult smokers. Quitting tobacco use can lessen the risk of cognitive decline and brain atrophy, and prevent polypharmacy arising from the management of complex morbidities associated with...
Substance Use Is a Critical Health and Mental Health Issue for Older Adults
The year 2020 unfolded in a world dramatically changed by the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus. As we now know, aduIts ages 65 and older have accounted for 80 percent of COVID-19 deaths in the United States, while making up only 16 percent of the U.S. population. These...
Caring for Older Adults Post-incarceration
Abstract: This article presents a case highlighting the challenges that justice-involved older adults face when entering into the community while managing chronic medical disease, mental illness, and substance use disorders. Key Words: older adults, incarceration,...
Can Innovative Technologies Improve Behavioral Health Care for Older Adults?
Abstract: Substance use among older adults is an increasing global public health concern. Prior to COVID-19, barriers limited accessibility to screening and intervention for substance use among older adults. During COVID-19, barriers persist, while risks for harm to...
Something to Talk About: Reducing Risk in Alcohol Consumption Using Education and Conversation
Abstract: The increased prevalence of alcohol use among U.S. older adults in the face of known consequences is concerning. Reducing acute and chronic risks associated with alcohol use is an important goal for this population. This article describes studies in which...
Prevalence and Correlates of Methamphetamine Use Among Older Men Who Have Sex with Men in San Francisco
Abstract: Methamphetamine use is associated with morbidity and mortality, yet remains under-researched among older men who have sex with men (MSM). We used the 2017 National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Survey to identify the correlates of methamphetamine use among MSM...
Smokeless Tobacco Use in Older South and Southeast Asian Americans
Abstract: This article presents a case highlighting the challenges of engaging older adults who use smokeless tobacco products where its use may be strongly ingrained in culture and belief systems. Key Words: smokeless tobacco, Paan, Asian Americans, South Asia,...
SBIRT-Plus: Adding Population Health Innovations to Enhance Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention Effectiveness
Abstract: Research on alcohol Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) suggests that while brief interventions are effective for reducing alcohol and other substance use in medical settings, effects are small and program implementation is...
Substance Use Disorders in Older Adults: Overview and Future Directions
Abstract: Knowledge of substance use disorders (SUD) in adults ages 65 and older is limited. This article presents an overview of epidemiology, service use, and clinical considerations on SUD in older adults and suggests future directions. SUD prevalence is lower in...
Training Future Leaders to Address Mental Health and Substance Use Issues in Older Adults—The Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program
Abstract: The Health and Aging Policy Fellows (HAPF) Program aims to create a cadre of leaders to serve as “change agents” in health and aging policy. HAP Fellows come from a wide range of disciplines, backgrounds, and career stages. The cornerstone of the one-year...
Treating Substance Misuse in Older Adults Participating in PACE
Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) are innovative, capitated Medicare-Medicaid programs. These programs provide impoverished older adults who qualify for nursing home placement an option of community-based long-term care. PACE helps adults ages 55...
What Can a Recovery Model for Alaska Natives Teach Us about Substance Use and Older Adults?
Abstract: Alcohol research in Alaska has shifted to strengths-based approaches—it will be important to learn what motivates older adults to maintain recovery rather than to relapse. Alaska Native older adults have a desire to pass on their accumulated wisdom to a...
Barriers Facing Older Adults with Substance Use Disorders in Post–Acute Care Settings
Abstract: As the number of older adults with chronic medical illnesses and substance use disorders (SUD) and especially opioid use disorder (OUD) increases, so does the need for post-acute care services in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Unfortunately, care...
How Health Centers Engage Elders with Substance Use Disorder in Treatment
Abstract: Federally qualified health centers (FQHC) form the largest primary care system in the United States. They play a vital role in providing comprehensive primary care services to their patients, including integrated substance use and behavioral healthcare, but...
Our Guest Editors
Social isolation, stress, depression, chronic pain and loss all have contributed to greater suffering for older adults during the pandemic, which has seen a rise in suicide, opioid overdose, and the amount and frequency of alcohol use. In a recent study, 10.6 percent...
Suggested citation for articles in this issue: [Last Name(s), First Name(s)]. “Article Title.” Generations Journal, vol. [#], no. [#] [season and year (ex. Fall 2024)]. [URL]
About Generations Journal
Generations Journal is the quarterly journal of the American Society on Aging. Each issue is devoted to bringing together the most useful and current knowledge about a specific topic in the field of aging, with emphasis on practice, research, and policy.