Fong Law Group

Innovative Long-Term Care Housing Solutions for Seniors

The population of seniors over 65 is expected to increase exponentially over the next decade. A study by the Office of Policy Development and Research exposed the country’s unpreparedness for housing the aged population. America has three major housing issues for seniors: affordability, physical accessibility, and access to medical care and other services. There is a need for creative solutions to housing.

Innovative long-term care housing for seniors tries to solve these problems. These new potential living arrangements for seniors may provide older people with the care, protection, and resources they need to age peacefully.

What Services Do Seniors Need From a Long-Term Care Provider?

As people age, their needs change. An ideal living environment for older people will meet their personal and medical needs while remaining affordable.

Seniors need access to nutritious foods, transportation to and from medical appointments, the ability to exercise safely, and community connection to promote positive mental health.

Modern long-term care housing for seniors intends to increase the number of options for seniors while meeting these needs.

University-Based Retirement Communities

One creative living option for older people is university retirement communities. University retirement communities are part of a college campus and house and educate older people.

Colleges and universities establish retirement communities in several ways. A university may partner with an existing retirement community and provide it with resources. Some universities sell their property to a third party at a discounted rate to build a retirement community.

You won’t live in a dorm if you choose a university retirement community. Depending on the community, housing units may include single-family homes, apartments, condos, or townhouses.

In addition to receiving free and discounted classes, university retirement communities offer other benefits to their residents. Some community amenities include social activities, health resources, transportation services, access to university facilities, and dining services.

This living option can get expensive and must be paid out-of-pocket. A resident must pay an entry and monthly maintenance fee, which can add up to several thousand dollars.

Dementia Villages

Dementia villages began 25 years ago in Amsterdam by nurses who wanted a safer alternative for their parents who suffered from memory issues; dementia villages cater only to older people living with dementia. Several countries worldwide have adopted this housing model, including the United States.

Everything a resident might need is available in the community created by the facility. In most dementia villages, you can find hairstylists, grocery stores, libraries, restaurants, social events, and access to medical care.

Dementia villages offer centralized care, including on-site, live-in staff. The care team in dementia villages lives among the residents, and they become intimately familiar with their patients’ conditions. Staff track patient progress and create an effective treatment plan for each resident.

According to the World Health Organization, 55 million people worldwide are living with dementia. Each year, nearly 8 million new patients get diagnosed with dementia. Over the next decade, nearly 80 million people will receive a dementia diagnosis. The time to learn more about effective treatment for dementia is now.

Routine helps improve the quality of life for seniors living with dementia. Dementia villages offer services that promote an increased quality of life for residents, including:

• Safe physical activity and increased mobility
• Healthy meals
• Social interaction
• Art and music activities

The Green House Project

The Green House Project is one of the most well-known nonprofit organizations leading the charge to reimagine housing options and improve quality of life for seniors.

The Green House Project serves seniors and their families. The organization has built 400 homes across the United States over the past 17 years. Green House homes operate efficiently to care for older people. Some of the available services include:

• Dementia care
• Assisted living
• Licensed skilled nursing

Each home is private, with easy access to the outdoors. The homes are self-contained, and each resident has a private room and bathroom. The homes create a community of seniors who can connect and create friends.

Planning for Your Long-Term Housing?

There are many options for your long-term care. Contacting your elder law attorney can be the best next step to learning your options. 

Home Health Services Underutilized by Seniors, Study Shows

Health Affairs estimates that 4 million older adults can only leave their homes with assistance, making accessing care challenging.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 1.3 million Americans receive care in nursing homes. According to A Place For Mom, more than 810,000 reside in assisted living.

Home health care presents an alternative to nursing homes and assisted living, providing care for homebound people. Those who receive home health care can remain in their residences, reducing expenses, preserving autonomy, and maintaining community ties.

Although Medicare funds some home health care services, a recent study has found that Medicare beneficiaries are underutilizing the program’s home health care options. Many older adults do not receive the home-based clinical care or home-based long-term services and supports that could benefit them.

Medicare Coverage of Home Health Services

Medicare Parts A and B cover certain home health services. Homebound individuals can receive part-time or intermittent skilled services. Part A covers home health care for people following a hospital stay or a stay in a skilled nursing facility. Part B provides home health care for homebound adults who need skilled nursing care.

A Medicare beneficiary is considered homebound in the following situations:

• Because of an illness or injury, they have trouble leaving their home without help, such as a cane, wheelchair, walker, or crutches, special transportation, or another person’s assistance.
• Their physician recommends staying at home.
• Leaving their residence takes a major effort.

The program covers medically necessary part-time or intermittent skilled nursing care and health assistance, durable medical equipment, and medical supplies for use at home.

Medicaid also covers long-term services and supports (LTSS), which include medical and personal care services that aid with activities of daily living (ADLs). These are the kinds of services an assisted living facility typically provides.

Use of Home-Based Clinical Care and Long-Term Services and Supports Among Homebound Older Adults

A 2023 study published in the Journal of American Medical Directors Association looked into home-based clinical care and home-based LTSS among homebound older Medicare beneficiaries. The researchers examined the Medicare claims of 974 beneficiaries to shed light on their use of in-home services.

The study found that while homebound individuals used these services, no group received high levels of all care types.

Homebound individuals more commonly utilized LTSS services than home-based clinical care.

• Approximately 30 percent of participants received some home-based clinical care.
• About 80 percent of the sample received home-based LTSS.

The researchers identified three levels of home clinical care and LTSS usage among older adults:

• Low Care and Services (46.6 percent). The largest group of participants received little home-based care. These individuals tended to be younger with fewer chronic conditions and functional impairments.
• Home Health Only with LTSS (44.5 percent). While this group used some home health services, such as assistance with ADLs, they received little home-based clinical care.
• High Clinical with LTSS (8.9 percent). Only a few participants had extensive home-based clinical care. In addition to tending to be older, they were more likely to have dementia and live alone.

In finding that only roughly 9 percent of participants receive high levels of clinical care and LTSS, the study points to a gap between those who could benefit from these services and the care provided. Although in-home care and support could meet the needs of older adults, many homebound older adults do not take full advantage of the services available.

Learn More About Your Options

If you or your loved one need help with medical care or activities of daily living at home, consult with your elder law attorney to learn more about your options. Your elder law attorney can help you determine and obtain the services for which you or your loved one are eligible.

When Does Someone Need Financial Guardianship?

When individuals cannot manage their finances, courts can appoint guardians. Financial guardianship is for those who need help handling money.

Depending on the jurisdiction, financial guardianship may also be called guardianship of the estate or conservatorship.

In cases where individuals need help with personal and financial decisions, the court can order guardianship of the person and estate. The guardian makes both personal and financial decisions for the protected person.

What Financial Guardianship Entails

Financial guardianship gives the guardian the authority to oversee the protected person’s finances and access money to pay bills. In many cases, the terms of the arrangement require the guardian to seek court approval before making financial actions on behalf of the ward, such as spending money and selling assets.

The ward’s money goes into a blocked account. The guardian can only access such an account with a court order, according to the Family Law Self Help Center.

When Do Courts Order Financial Guardianship of an Adult?

Courts appoint financial guardians when people demonstrate that they cannot handle their finances on their own.

• Individuals who frequently forget to pay bills might need help with finances. For instance, a person might need help remembering to pay bills and handling money.
• Those who are vulnerable to financial exploitation might also need guardians. For example, suppose a person makes significant payments to an online scammer. In that case, a loved one might petition the court to become the person’s guardian to protect them.
• Individuals with diseases and disabilities that prevent them from understanding money may also need the help of a trusted person. For instance, dementia can cause people to have executive functioning difficulties that impact their ability to handle money.

When a person has significant assets but needs help managing them, courts will order financial guardianship. Individuals with limited income and assets might not need financial guardians.

Alternatives to Financial Guardianship

While providing protection and support, guardianship limits autonomy. Many states require courts to explore less restrictive alternatives to guardianship before appointing a guardian. Those facing challenges with financial decisions should, along with their loved ones, first consider other options.

Financial Power of Attorney

Guardianship is appropriate when a person is impaired and cannot make their own decisions. Suppose an individual still can make decisions and understand the consequences of their choices. In that case, the person can execute a power of attorney for property. This gives a trusted individual the ability to handle their assets.

Compared to financial guardianship, an economic power of attorney can protect individuals’ rights while allowing someone to step in and help with monetary decisions. Under financial guardianship, it is more difficult for the protected person to change the arrangement if disagreements with the guardian arise. The person subject to the arrangement must petition the court to terminate it.

Revoking a power of attorney is, by comparison, straightforward. As long as the individual who made a power of attorney retains capacity, they can withdraw their power of attorney at any time for any reason. They can also appoint a new agent without judicial oversight.

Supported Decision Making

Another option for those with money difficulties is supported decision-making. Under a supportive decision-making arrangement, a person can have a trusted individual or multiple people help with financial decisions.

Supportive decision-making is less restrictive than guardianship, as individuals get help with decisions while retaining autonomy. Unlike a ward in a guardianship, the individual keeps the final decision-making power.

If you are wondering whether a loved one needs help witih their finances, consider speaking with your elder law attorney about the options.

Medicare Extra Help Program Set to Expand in 2024

Seniors and disabled citizens will receive more access to the Medicare Extra Help Program as of the beginning of 2024, the federal government announced. This expansion of benefits could enable up to 3 million people to reduce their prescription drug costs.

What Is the Medicare Extra Help Program?

The Medicare Extra Help Program assists older adults and people with disabilities who have trouble paying their Medicare Part D premiums. Note that you are automatically eligible for Extra Help if you:

• receive Medicaid coverage,
• are enrolled in a Medicare Savings Program, or
• receive Supplemental Security Income.

The program was expanded through the Inflation Reduction Act, which President Biden signed in August 2022, by increasing the income limit to 150 percent of the poverty level ($21,870 for an individual and $45,000 for a family of four). When the program expands at the beginning of 2024, 300,000 participants will go from partial to full benefits. That means they will not have to pay a premium or deductible, and they will have lower, fixed co-payments on certain medications.

Expanding Access to the Program

The government estimates that nearly 3 million people who could benefit from the program are not currently enrolled. The Department of Health and Human Services will activate government agencies to increase participation. The Administration for Community Living will reach out to underserved and rural communities, while the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will provide an outreach toolkit for community organizations and beneficiary advocates.

Those who participate in the Medicare Extra Help Program could save nearly $300 per year.

Where Do I Apply for Extra Help?

To apply for Extra Help, you can visit the Social Security Administration’s dedicated webpage for more information, support, and an online application.

The Consequences of Not Paying Your Property Taxes

When Geraldine Tyler, age 94, relocated to a senior community, she stopped paying property taxes on her home.

After the property was foreclosed on, the county where Tyler’s home was located sold the property for $40,000 to recover about $15,000 in unpaid property taxes. Tyler received none of the remaining profits from the sale.

In a case now before the U.S. Supreme Court, justices are hearing arguments to decide whether Tyler’s local government violated the U.S. Constitution by keeping more money than it was owed and not returning surplus funds to her.

One of the key issues in this case is whether Minnesota’s Hennepin County violated the Fifth Amendment, which prohibits taking private property for public use without just compensation.

Tyler owed $2,300 in property taxes and approximately $12,700 in interest, penalties, and costs. Hennepin County foreclosed on her home and sold it for $40,000. After repaying itself, it kept the $25,000 remaining and left Ms. Tyler with nothing. Tyler contends this is a violation of the U.S. Constitution. The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the case by June.

Why This Case Is Important for Seniors

The Tyler case highlights an all-too-common issue many elderly homeowners experience after transitioning from their home to a nursing home, a senior community, or assisted living facility.

Many seniors do not sell their home because they wish to leave it to their heirs. However, this transition can often lead to seniors losing track of their finances and failing to pay certain obligations such as their property taxes.

The consequences of doing so can be severe. One is the loss of equity in your home. Another is the loss of the opportunity to transfer wealth from one generation to the next and minimize capital gains taxes paid by heirs. For many people, their home is their most valuable asset.

As people age and depend on a fixed income, many fall behind on their taxes. While this may be a stressful issue, it should not be ignored as it can lead to them losing all the equity they have in their homes.

If you or a loved one may be facing this situation, talk about it before it gets out of hand or unmanageable.

What You Should Do

What can you do if you or a loved one have questions about your property tax obligations as the transition to a different stage of life happens?

First, understand that as long as a person is a homeowner, they must pay property taxes. However, in many states, once a homeowner reaches a certain age or their income decreases, they may be entitled to a property tax exemption or discount. The homeowner should apply for this as soon as possible once they become eligible, as in some states, it can reduce the obligation amount significantly.

If your loved one is in a nursing home or elder care facility, speak with them about the issue and see if they are up to date. If you have a power of attorney for an elderly family member or friend, check in with the local tax assessor and verify where things stand.

Finally, if you are behind on property taxes, be proactive about resolving the delinquency. Many local governments have programs to help homeowners repay their debt and keep their property.

In the Tyler case, Tyler, by law, had the right to redeem her property and repay her unpaid taxes, interest, penalties, and fees over three years. Other states have similar programs. However, these generally must be entered into within a specific timeframe. This is why addressing the issue as soon as possible is crucial.

Helping Senior Homeowners

The bottom line is that a homeowner, regardless of their age, needs to pay their property taxes to preserve the ability to transfer generational wealth to their heirs in the form of equity from their home.

Children, trusted friends, or caretakers may need to be proactive in helping senior homeowners assess whether they may have a delinquency to avoid the severe consequences of not paying property taxes imposed by some states.

Consult with your elder law or attorney for further guidance. 

Editor's Note: In late May 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Geraldine Tyler. 

Some States Testing Out Medicaid Coverage for Healthy Food

Under a federal pilot program, a number of states are using Medicaid funds to cover healthy food costs for Medicaid recipients. Ultimately, the trial program seeks to determine whether nutrition support can help prevent and manage certain chronic illnesses related to diet.

The pilot program’s structure varies across different states, as do the criteria regarding which Medicaid recipients are eligible to take part. In some instances, Medicaid benefits may cover nutrition counseling, grocery store gift cards, “food prescriptions” for fruits and vegetables, and more.

‘Food as Medicine’

Diet-related chronic conditions are not uncommon in the United States. Today, more than 37 million Americans have diabetes. Nearly one in three adults is overweight. Poor nutrition has also been shown to lead to higher risks of heart disease, certain cancers, and other illnesses.

In the fall of 2022, the Biden administration issued a national strategy to address issues in hunger, nutrition, and health. Included in that document is information on the idea of expanding health insurance coverage for nutrition support and education.

Proponents of the pilot program point to the connections that research has made between nutrition and overall health. From their perspective, helping people make better food choices will positively affect the health care system as a whole over time.

One 2022 Tufts University study examined health outcomes for people with certain illnesses who received deliveries of healthy, medically tailored meals. The researchers estimated that establishing similar programs nationwide could prevent more than a million hospitalizations each year. In addition, they projected billions of dollars in savings for Medicaid and Medicare.

Others believe using Medicaid funding to support a “food as medicine” movement is unnecessary and will overload the program’s resources.

Which States Are Using Medicaid Funds to Cover Food?

In most states, Medicaid does not generally pay for groceries or meals. (Some Medicare Advantage plans do offer an allowance for groceries or delivery of meals.)

However, the following three states are currently putting the Medicaid for food program to the test:

• Arkansas
• Massachusetts
• Oregon

California has also been running a program of its own, called CalAIM, since 2021. Through this program, health care providers can prescribe medically supportive meals to qualifying individuals. This includes people without reliable access to affordable, healthy food or who are restricted to a specific diet for medical reasons.

Five additional states are now seeking the go-ahead to participate in the pilot program. The following have requested federal waivers and are awaiting approval:

• Delaware
• Maine
• New Mexico
• New York
• Washington

Awareness of Nutrition and Health Among Seniors

Research suggests that many older adults may not be familiar with the idea of nutrition being one way to improve health.

According to one poll, less than half of U.S. seniors say they feel knowledgeable about how nutrition connects to mental wellness. (In contrast, 80 percent of American adults ages 18 to 34 say they feel “very” or “somewhat” knowledgeable about this link.)

If you are not sure whether you qualify for Medicaid or you are interested in applying, contact your local Medicaid agency. Consult with your elder law attorney for advice on a plan for your future.

On Medicare? What You'll Pay for Now That the PHE Has Ended

The Biden administration officially ended the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency on May 11, 2023. Certain policies that were implemented in early 2020 during the public health emergency will now expire. As a result, seniors are among those who may see some of the health care costs related to COVID-19 change. Other health care services may or may not be affected, depending on what type of coverage you have.

Here are some of the highlights:

If You Are Enrolled in Original Medicare

• With the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, you will likely have to pay for:
  • At-home and over-the-counter COVID tests
  • Care in a skilled nursing facility if you have not first spent at least three days in a row admitted to a hospital (Note that being “under observation” at a hospital is not the same as being “admitted.”)
• You generally will not have to pay for:
  • Laboratory COVID tests ordered by a health care provider, if you have Medicare Part B (Note that you may have to pay for part of the cost for your visit to the health care provider’s office)
  • COVID vaccines and boosters from a health care provider who takes Medicare
  • COVID oral antiviral treatments such as Paxlovid
• Other considerations
  • In most cases, you will continue to have access to telehealth services from home through the end of 2024
  • With the end of the public health emergency, Medicare beneficiaries with Part D coverage may no longer receive three-month supplies of prescription medications

If You Are a Medicare Advantage Member

• Now that the public health emergency has ended, you may have to pay at least part of the cost for:
  • At-home and over-the-counter COVID tests
  • Laboratory COVID tests ordered by a health care provider, including part of the cost of your visit to the health care provider’s office
  • Visits to out-of-network physicians
• You will not have to pay for:
  • COVID vaccines provided by an in-network physician
• Other considerations
  • Check with your individual plan regarding telehealth service access

For more information, visit the “What Does the End of the PHE Mean for You?” resource on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

從李玟的遺產案看長命契的利弊 - 國語

從李玟的遺產案看長命契的利弊

An Epidemic: Substance Abuse a Growing Problem Among Seniors

The United States population of aging adults has grown exponentially over the past decade. According to projections published by the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Americans aged 60 and older increased by 34 percent from 55.7 million to 74.6 million between 2009 and 2019. Unfortunately, amid their growing numbers, more and more seniors are facing a substance use disorder problem that in large part has remained silent.

What Are Substance Use Disorders?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, substance use disorders include “treatable, chronic diseases characterized by a problematic pattern of use of a substance or substances leading to impairments in health, social function, and control over substance use.”

Seniors are an overlooked group regarding substance abuse issues, but the problem is growing nationwide. Learning the extent and cause of substance abuse among seniors can help improve outcomes for this population.

Rates of Substance Abuse and Misuse Among Older Adults

Seniors often get disregarded in conversations about substance misuse. Yet according to some estimates, nearly 1 million adults aged 65 and older were reported to be living with an addiction as of 2018. Today, that number could be much higher.

Drug Abuse

Drug abuse among older adults is a dangerous problem, in part because health care providers and caregivers so often overlook it. It may even be diagnosed incorrectly as a health condition related to aging.

Seniors are likely to use one or more prescription medications. Adverse drug interactions between multiple prescriptions, nutritional supplements, and over-the-counter medication can inadvertently harm one’s health.

Misuse of certain prescriptions can also lead to a substance use disorder. Opioids, for example, have been prescribed to millions of people suffering from chronic pain. The proportion of U.S. adults aged 55 and up who have sought treatment for opioid use disorder has been surging over the past two decades; between 2013 and 2015 alone, it jumped more than 50 percent. One 2006 study stated that at least one in four older adults were using prescription drugs that have potential for abuse.

Many seniors are at risk of developing a dependence on nonprescription, over-the-counter, and illicit drugs as well. Meanwhile, research has suggested that American seniors use illicit drugs at a higher rate than older adults from most other countries.  

Alcohol Use

Surveys show that alcohol use among people 65 and older has increased 22 percent over the past two decades. The extent of alcohol abuse remains unknown due to the impact of underreporting. However, seniors in some studies do report binge drinking and at-risk drinking.

People binge drink when they have five or more drinks in one setting. According to one study, more than a tenth of older adults in the U.S. are regular binge drinkers.

Research published by the National Library of Medicine defines at-risk drinking as consuming more than three drinks on one occasion or having more than seven drinks in one week. The prevalence of at-risk drinking among men is estimated at 16 percent and 10.9 percent among women.

Note that the National Institutes of Health offers a series of free worksheets that can help you evaluate your use of alcohol and learn how to make positive changes.

Why Do Seniors Abuse Substances?

Seniors are less likely to abuse substances for a euphoric effect. Older adults typically use drugs and alcohol to self-medicate against the physical and emotional pain that comes with aging.

Some common causes of substance abuse among people aged 65 and older include:

• Loss of a spouse or family member
• Decreased income
• Change in living arrangements
• Trouble sleeping
• A mental and physical decline in health
• Conflicts with family
• Lack of purpose
• Retirement

A senior’s coping style early in life may correlate with late-life substance abuse. People with avoidant coping styles tend to rely on substances to deal with stress and change. If seniors spend their lives avoiding stress or problems, they are more likely to develop a late-life drinking problem than those who cope in other ways.

Social Factors Leading to Substance Abuse Among Older Adults

Various social factors appear to increase the chance of late-life drug and alcohol abuse. The following social factors are among those that may lead to increased substance misuse:

• Unexpected or forced retirement
• Social isolation
• Being divorced, separated, or single
• Lack of religious affiliation
• Affluence or feeling comfortable with the availability of financial resources
• Grief

Physical Factors Leading to Substance Abuse Among Aging Adults

Older adults with substance abuse disorder typically have these physical factors in common:

• Comorbidities
• Chronic medical conditions
• Reduced mobility
• Chronic pain
• Poor health status

Psychiatric Risk Factors Leading to Substance Abuse Among Seniors

Psychiatric risk factors among older adults with substance abuse disorder include:

• History of substance use disorder
• Current or previous mental illness
• Feeling socially isolated
• Having an avoidance coping style

Symptoms of Substance Abuse Among Older Adults

Substance abuse is a serious medical condition. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can help seniors get the help they need to improve their quality of life. Caregivers and medical providers should watch out for the following symptoms of substance misuse:

• Depression and loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities
• Use of a prescription drug more often than what is outlined in the instructions
• Memory problems
• Change in appetite
• Social withdrawal
• Irritability and sadness
• Change in sleeping patterns
• Decline in hygiene

Leading Substance Use Disorders According to Region

Substance misuse is occurring everywhere in the U.S., regardless of age, but certain areas are seeing abuse of specific types of substances. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality compiled the following data for 2016 through 2018 about regions nationwide:

• New Jersey and parts of Appalachia have a concentration of opioid-related substance use disorders.
• The Midwest, Appalachia, Rhode Island, and Nevada saw a higher concentration of alcohol dependency issues than other parts of the country.
• Appalachia saw a more-significant-than-average concentration of sedative-related substance use disorders.
• Stimulant-related disorders appeared more in the Midwest, the South, and Appalachia.
• Cannabis-related substance abuse disorders occurred in Mississippi and other Southern states.

Health Impacts of Substance Abuse on Seniors

The health implications of substance abuse disorder are more significant for older people. Older people are more vulnerable than other groups to the effects of drug use on mental health. Seniors who take prescription medication risk negatively impacting their mental state by mixing their medicine with recreational drugs or by abusing alcohol.

Drug and alcohol abuse can also lead to increased fall risk, physical impairment, adverse psychiatric effects, worsening of other physical conditions, and death.

In fact, among people aged 65 and over, certain types of opioid overdose deaths increased by 53 percent between 2019 and 2020 alone. The number of alcohol-related deaths for this age group rose by 18 percent over the same timeframe.

Recovery Options for Older Adults

Whether a senior should receive inpatient or outpatient treatment depends on their needs. Older adults with a substance use disorder may benefit from inpatient treatment if they meet some of these criteria:

• A high likelihood of relapse
• Suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self-harm
• Likelihood of experiencing withdrawal symptoms
• No familial support
• Previous attempts at detox
• Co-occurring severe medical conditions that need continuous monitoring

Seniors may also need the following to get the most out of recovery:

• Careful case management
• Family, group, and individual counseling
• Cognitive behavioral therapy

How Can the Health Care Industry Help Older Adults With Substance Use Disorder?

Much work is needed to decrease the substance abuse rates among older adults. There is a critical need to address this problem.

Primary care physicians are the first line of defense. Education for clinicians should include skill and strategy development to treat substance abuse issues among older adults. Health care workers should know how to identify substance misuse with proper screening and assessments. Understanding co-occurring disorders and the connection between mental illnesses and substance use disorders is also crucial.

If you notice signs of addiction in a loved one, it is essential to get them professional help. In addition to improving their quality of life, you may save them from succumbing to this disease.