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| Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #306 |
| Outreach to the Elderly for Medical Compliance, Substance Abuse, and Mental Health |
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| Requester: |
Derya E. Williams |
Organization: |
River Region Human Serivces, Inc. |
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| Project Title: |
Outreach to the Elderly for Medical Compliance, Substance Abuse, and Mental Health |
Date Submitted |
12/29/2003 2:42:43 PM |
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| Sponsors: |
Wise |
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| Statewide Interest: |
| The unmet need of addressing substance abuse and mental health issues in the elderly in Northeast Florida. |
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| Recipient: |
River Region Human Services, Inc. |
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Contact: |
Derya E. Williams, Chief Executive Officer |
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660 Park Street |
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Contact Phone: |
(904) 899-6300 |
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Jacksonville 32204 |
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Contact email: |
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| Counties: |
Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, St. Johns |
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| Gov't Entity: |
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Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): |
Yes |
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| Project Description: |
| Until recently, substance abuse among the elderly had largely remained outside the scope of health care initiatives. With heightened awareness of the extent of the problem and the unmet need, however, both federal and state governments have begun targeting substance misuse in the older population. CSAT and the District IV Older American Think Tank have recognized that strategies for identifying and treating substance misuse/abuse among older adults. We must take into account factors leading to such problems in older adults and the obstacles and challenges that will be faced in successfully identifying and meeting needs (Shulman, 2001). CSAT's 1998 report identified a number of factors that account for misuse, including high rates of prescription drug use among older adults and physiological changes in later life. Americans over the age of 65 use three times as many prescribed medications as the rest of the population. Eighty-five (85) percent of older adults take at least one prescription drug daily; 76% take more than one. In addition, at least 40% of older adults do not follow directions in taking their prescriptions. Because of physiological changes in later life, older adults are also more sensitive to alcohol and prescription drugs and many continue consuming substances in quantities, especially alcohol, that were once appropriate, but are detrimental later in life.
Older adults also have a unique set of treatment needs (CSAT, Pinter, Shulman). Older adults are more likely than younger adults to feel shame at having a problem. They also feel most comfortable addressing their problems in groups of adults their own ages. The literature abounds with cautions that the accepted, "heavy handed" approach to substance abuse treatment will not work with older adults (Pinter, CSAT). CSAT has recommended that the least intensive treatment options be explored first. Interventions must also address the problems of delivering services to a population that more so than younger adults is isolated and stays at home (Pinter). Providers must also tailor interventions to the cognitive and social needs of the older population and the co-morbidity of substance misuse/abuse with mental health problems and other diseases.
Understanding the nature of the problem among the elderly has caused Northeast Florida to question what can be done. River Region Human Services proposes to address the above referenced issues through intensive outreach to the elderly and the institutions of these programs. 1) Identification and education about proper use of prescribed medications 2) Direct Observed Therapy and medication coordination with patient's prescribing physicians, 3) Follow-up to local hospitals regarding hip fractures, falls and accidents, 4) Community wide training relative to the complications surrounding medicating the elderly and the rising use of alcohol and other drugs. Each of the components will be developed by a team of experienced doctors, nurses, mental health and substance abuse professionals. Once developed, education and training will be provided in homes, congregations locations, senior centers, housing projects, and churches. Caregivers, social workers, along with other supportive individuals will be trained to assist in the adoption of medical compliance models for the elderly.
The goal of this project is to achieve medical compliance and prevent complications that evolve to two hundred (200) elderly citizens in Duval,Clay, Baker,St. Johns,and Nassau Counties. The impact will result in the reduction of emergency room visits, decrease in using contraindicated medications, informed senior citizens who can negotiate medications, an intensive medications monitoring system that is client driven that can be replicated throughout the state. This program can promote healthy living and learning among senior residents while saving millions of dollars in costs to our medical care system. This intervention promotes wellness to a population that is often overlooked and provide a mechanism for needed interventions other than primary caregivers and families. |
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| Is this a water project as described in Chapter 2002-291, Laws of Florida? |
No |
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| Measurable Outcome Anticipated: |
| 80% increase in medical compliance; 80% decrease in use of alcohol with medication. |
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| Amount requested from the State for this project this year: |
$500,000 |
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| Total cost of the project: |
$750,000 |
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| Request has been made to fund: |
Operations |
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| What type of match exists for this project? |
Local |
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Cash Amount |
$500,000 |
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In-kind Amount |
$125,000 |
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| Was this project previously funded by the state? |
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Yes |
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Fiscal Year: |
2002-2003 |
Amount: |
$500,000 |
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| Is future-year funding likely to be requested? |
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Yes |
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Amount: |
$500,000 |
To Fund: |
Operations, N/A |
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| Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request? |
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No |
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| Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? |
No |
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| Is there a documented need for this project? |
Yes |
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Documentation: |
See program description |
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| Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)? |
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Yes |
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Hearing Body: |
Duval County Delegation |
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Hearing Meeting Date: |
11/14/2003 |
