Description:
Aging is a process that involves many positive qualities like perspective and experience. It also involves what some have called “an accumulation of losses,” which may include the death of a spouse or other close relationship, retirement and the associated loss of purpose and respect, loss of physical strength and possibly mobility, loss of independence, and so much more. These losses are often called “Life Transitions” and are a critically important risk factor for substance use and misuse among older adults. This presentation will explore this and other risk factors that may lead to problematic substance use among this population. It will also explore some of the protective factors involved to mitigate potential problems, in addition to potential prevention strategies to address problems.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify common substances used by older adults
- Understand the risk and protective factors associated with the older adult population
- Identify potential strategies to mitigate risk factors and promote protective factors
Presenters and bios:
Charlotte Carlton serves as a training and technical assistance associate at Education Development Center (EDC) and is a behavioral health expert specializing in substance misuse and suicide prevention. She brings over 30 years’ experience leading and implementing prevention programs at the community, state, regional, and national levels. Prior to her work at EDC, Charlotte served as the director of the Southeast Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT) and as a senior program director for Pacific Institute of Research and Evaluation (PIRE). She is now the Director of Training and Technical Assistance for EDC’s work with the Region 8 PTTC serving Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.