Senior ADAP

Treating Addition
in Older Adults

Did you know . . .

. . . as many as 3 million elderly Americans are affected by alcoholism or problem drinking . . . ?

. . . alcoholism in older adults frequently goes undiagnosed - - mistaken for conditions attributed to "aging" . . . ?

. . . older adults are hospitalized as often for alcohol-related problems as for heart attacks . . . ?

. . . one-third of elderly alcoholics develop this problem late in life, following retirement, widowhood or other life changes . . . ?

. . . substance abuse is indicated in a high proportion of suicides among older adults . . . ?

. . . because the US population is aging, there will be 50 percent more elderly alcoholics by the year 2000 than there were in 1980 . . . ?

	. . . older adults have among the highest rates of success in addiction treatment . . . ?
. . . that there is an inpatient addiction treatment program in South Carolina specifically designed for older adults . . . ?

• The Morris Village Senior Program is a 12-bed unit offering detoxification and rehabilitation services to men and women ages 55 and older.  The program was developed to meet the needs of older adults who are addicted to alcohol and/or other drugs.
     

• Treatment is based on the philosophy that older adults have problems and issues unique to their stage of life.  Emphasis is placed on providing a caring and nurturing environment where older adults can address these issues, re-discover their dignity and self-worth, and begin their recovery.
      

• Treatment staff represent the disciplines of medicine, nursing, social work, recreational therapy, and counseling.  All have training and experience specific to this population.

Program Design

Group Therapy:  offers opportunities for participants to talk about issues, problem-solve, and learn new skills for dealing with life situations; Men's Group and Women for Sobriety meetings are also offered.

Recovery Dynamics:  offers education about the disease of addiction, recovery resources, relapse prevention, and other topics specific to the recovery needs of older adults.

Recreational Therapy:  offers movement therapy, horticulture therapy, leisure planning, stress management, and wellness/nutrition education.  

Patient Education:  offers information in the areas of the aging process, grief/loss and recovery, spirituality, communication skills, assertiveness training, medication management, and specific medical issues.

Each patient has an individualized treatment plan and a case manager who coordinates his/her treatment from admission through discharge, including placement services and family counseling, when needed.  Referrals are made to community resources which can provide support to the older adult in recovery.

Referral/Admissions

Voluntary Admissions can be initiated by any health care professional.  The Morris Village Screening team reviews voluntary admissions and refers persons 55+ to teh Senior Program.  To initiate this process, obtain the voluntary admission papers (DMH Form #M-340), complete them, fax to (803) 935-7329 and mail the original papers to Morris Village.

Emergency Admissions can occur when an individual is thought to pose a risk of harm to him/herself or to others if not immediately hospitalized.  An Emergency Admission can be initiated at your local mental health center or hospital emergency room.

Judicial Admissions (DMH Form #M-170) are initiated in the community for someone who is a chronic risk, but does not meet criteria for emergency admission.  Reports by designated examiners are completed, and a hearing is held in the community, with placement in an inpatient treatment program occurring after the hearing.  When the judgment and order (DMH Form #M-175) has been signed, fax it to (803) 935-7329 and mail the original papers to Morris Village.

For Further information about admissions
please contact
Jackie Lee (803-935-7724)
or
Gayle Aycock (803-935-7103)

For further information
about the program
please contact
Norma Sessions (803-935-7792)