MEDIA ADVISORY
New Study Addresses Growing Problem of Misuse of Medication and Alcohol
Among Ethnic Seniors
Tuesday,
June 15, 1999, TORONTO, ON -- Studies have shown that medication and alcohol
related problems are on the increase among older adults. Yet, problem
substance use remains largely undetected in many seniors. While seniors
make up only 12% of the population, they receive between 20-40% of all
prescribed medications. The misuse of medication and alcohol causes adverse
health effects and has a large financial impact on the health care system.
In addition, there is a lack of available information and community-based
interventions designed to provide culturally competent care to ethnocultural
seniors which seriously undermines the health and well-being of ethnocultural
older adults.
A
current national project of the Canadian Ethnocultural Council (CEC) is
seeking to bridge the information gap by exploring the issues and needs
of ethnocultural communities and by training health care workers to better
respond to the needs of ethnocultural seniors. The project, Use and Misuse
of Drugs by Seniors: A Cross-cultural Education Model will develop best
practices to identify and intervene with ethnocultural seniors in a culturally
appropriate manner. The 18-month national project will include training
sessions in Vancouver, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax,
and St. John's.
The
project is being carried out through a collaboration with the Centre for
Addiction and Mental Health, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress-Saskatchewan
Provincial Council and the Canadian Ethnocultural Council. The goals of
the project are to:
-- identify and disseminate information regarding the needs of ethnocultural
older adults around drug use and misuse;
-- develop and design culturally appropriate intervention methods;
and
-- increase the capacity of health care providers to deliver culturally
competent services.
As
our population ages, the need for information in the area of drug use
and misuse is critical. By addressing this issue and raising awareness
of older adult medication and alcohol misuse among our older adult population,
we can decrease its cost to the health care system and improve the health
and well-being of older adults. Please join the Centre for Addiction and
Mental Health and the Canadian Ethnocultural Council to learn more about
the project.
WHERE: The Meeting Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33
Russell St., Toronto
WHEN: Friday, June 18, 1999 10:30 am
|
1-800-463-6273
