Prescription Drug Abuse

Is it possible that you or someone you love is addicted to prescription drugs? Most of us take prescription drugs only for the reason the doctor intended. But the National Institute on Drug Abuse says about 48 million people have used prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons in their lifetime. That figure represents approximately 20% of the U.S. population. In recent years, there has been a dramatic rise in prescription drug misuse or abuse. This increase has led to more ER visits because of accidental overdoses and more admissions to treatment programs for drug addictions. An area of concern is older adults who are part of an “invisible epidemic” of alcohol, prescription, and over-the-counter drug abuse. Over two million older adults in the US have a chemical dependency problem. Drug and alcohol misuse, abuse, and addiction is of great concern no matter what the age of the user. These problems are unfortunately, and quite dangerously, all too prevalent within the elderly population. The Administration on Aging (AoA) states non-medical use of prescription drugs is increasing among older adults. This is especially frightening, when you consider the fact that substance abuse can create or compound physical and mental health concerns that may already be present, or that they may have a likelihood of developing at some point in the future. Any time a person uses any drug in an amount, manner, or combination other than intended, the risk of harmful side effects and addiction climb, as does the risk of overdose-related conditions and death.Per Persons aged 65 years and older comprise about 13 percent of the population, yet account for more than one-third of total spending on prescription medications in the United States. Though 65 is not considered elderly by most, it is an age that is included in many of the studies and statistics. This is relevant because the habits and behaviors that may plague an elderly person may often began at an earlier age. Some data suggest that patterns of prescription drug abuse may differ by gender in older adults. For example, older women have been found to be at greater risk for prescription drug abuse than older men or younger women. Over the counter drugs (OTC) may pose a threat as well. In addition to causing discomforting or even dangerous side-effects, especially when they interact with other OTC or prescription medications, some of these may garner behaviors that become compulsive and follow distinct patterns of abuse. And, alcohol use presents a host of problems as well. Using OTC medications in conjunction with alcohol or prescription drugs can further complicate the side effects and dangers, as these substances may already cause these side effects on their own. Treatment of the older population may need to be specialized, as adults over the age of 65 are likely to have unique circumstances and specific needs that are different than those experienced by younger generations. As people age, their bodies’ functions begin to change. A person’s body begins to take longer to clear or break down the components of substances. The Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) further elaborates on this, “Due to a reduction in blood flow to the liver and kidneys in the elderly, there can be a 50% decrease in the rate of metabolism of some medications.” Some individuals may also experience some measure of cognitive decline or dementia. Either of these things can make it difficult for a person to fully understand their drug use and behaviors, and in turn, the consequences. These factors may also impair a person’s memory in a manner that leads to unintentional misuse—increased frequency or amount of dosage, or taking things together that should not be used concurrently. Physical health issues put them more at risk as well – the older population consistently deals with more physical afflictions that require the aid of a medication (both prescription and over-the-counter), including increased joint paint, an increased risk of falls, and trouble sleeping. The medications that are commonly prescribed for these things are some of the most addictive. As a person ages, their support system often becomes smaller, whether it be from illness or death, or simply because their level of activity decreases. Due to this, individuals may not interact with people in a frequent enough manner for patterns and behaviors of drug misuse, abuse, and addiction to become apparent. Also, due to fear regarding health concerns or living arrangements (being afraid of being forced to leave their home), some may mask their condition. One thing that can make it difficult for a family member and even health providers, is that certain medications (even if used appropriately), certain health concerns or illnesses (such as cognitive decline), and even the natural progression of aging, may exhibit themselves in manner that mimics certain characteristics of abuse and addiction. If you’d like to learn more about prescription addiction, come listen to Tracy Hunt, Director of Chemical Dependency Treatment Program at Eastern Niagara Hospital to learn more about signs and symptoms, causes, and prevention of abusing prescription drugs in older adults. Tracy will be at The Dale Association, 33 Ontario St, Lockport on Tuesday, January 22nd at 10:00am. It is free to attend. The Dale Association is a unique non profit organization which has been responding to needs of adults in our Niagara community for 67 years. It has been said many times that our services help make lives better and we are proud to be able to do this for people with so many different needs. The Dale Association’s mission is to provide comprehensive services and coordinate connections for adults in Niagara and neighboring counties which enhance their health and wellness and empower them to build bridges into their communities. This important mission is the focal point of each program – including our Senior Services, Mental Health Services, Enrichment Activities, and Caregiver Support Services. Our Senior Services offer activities that enhance health, encourages community involvement, utilizes years of experience and allows for the development of friendships, as well as a sole local resource for the visually and hearing impaired. Memory Minders a social program for individuals with mild memory loss is also among The Dale Association’s community support services helping to improve the quality of life for adults. Our Mental Health Services have the clearly stated goal of assisting people to remain emotionally stable and living independently in the community. The Enrichment Activities are geared to developing and enhancing skills with the objective of adding to the quality of life. The goal of Caregiver Support Services is to help informal caregivers’ ability to manage and coordinate care. For more information about The Dale Association or its programs, please visit www.daleassociation.com or our blog at http://www.ExceptionalYouAtTheDale.blogspot.

Understanding dementia, Alzheimer's disease and how the Dale can help

Most people with dementia remain undiagnosed by their primary care providers, and families often fail to recognize the significance of early cognitive symptoms. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia is critical. It allows the individual and their family to learn and plan better for the future. There has been a growing interest in screenings for memory problems. A screening can check a person’s memory and other thinking skills. It can indicate if someone might benefit from a more complete medical visit. Early intervention means better quality of life. A person experiencing changes in memory can improve their ability to manage future affairs by seeking help as soon as possible. It is important to identify the disease or problem that is causing memory loss. Some memory problems can be readily treated, such as those caused by vitamin deficiencies or thyroid problems. Other memory problems might result from causes that are not currently reversible, such as Alzheimer’s disease. In general, the earlier the diagnosis, the easiest it is to treat one of these conditions. All individuals should be empowered to make informed decisions to better manage their own health, not discouraged from screening based. Memory screenings are a significant first step toward finding out if a person may have a memory problem. Memory problems could be caused by Alzheimer’s disease or other medical conditions. Who should be screened? Memory screenings make sense for anyone concerned about memory loss or experiencing warning signs of dementia; whose family and friends have noticed changes in them; or who believe they are at risk due to a family history of Alzheimer’s disease or a related illness. Questions to ask: Am I becoming for forgetful? Do I have trouble concentrating? Do I have trouble performing familiar tasks? Do I have trouble recalling words or names in conversation? Do I sometimes forget where I am or where I am going? Am I misplacing things more often? Have family or friends told me that I repeating questions or saying the same thing over and over again? Have I become lost when walking or driving? Have my family or friends noticed changes in my mood, behavior, personality or desire to do things? According to a recent survey by Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 64% of individuals who responded to the study thought the behavioral symptoms (such as, irritability, anxiety) of the people they were caring for were a normal part of aging prior to their diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. 67% of these caregivers stated that these thoughts delayed the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging, but age is the greatest risk factor. The number of people with the disease doubles for every five-year age interval beyond 65. The memory screening test has 80 – 90% or higher probability of true or accurate screening results - similar to other established screening tests such as a mammography and Pap smear. And, a program for individuals in the early stages of memory impairment is available right here in Niagara County. The dementia-care program emphasizes memory enhancement through cognitive stimulation, education and socialization and is for people in the early stages of memory loss due to Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, Mild Cognitive Impairment, Parkinson’s disease, or any number of other diseases characterized by memory loss. Memory Minders a social program for individuals with mild memory loss is among The Dale Association’s community support services helping to improve the quality of life for adults. For more information about Memory Minders, The Dale Association, or its programs, please call Angie Blackly at 433-1886 extension 111 or via email at angie.blackley@daleassociation. Or, if you are looking for a fun way to keep the brain stimulated, maybe “Cranium Crunches” is something for you. Stomach crunches are a basic exercise for abdominal strength. Does that mean that cranium crunches will build strength in your cranium? You may have heard that the brain is plastic. As you know, the brain is not made of plastic….neuroplasticity (or brain plasticity) refers to the brain’s ability to change throughout life. The human brain has the amazing ability to reorganize itself by forming new connections between brain cells. For a long time it was believed that as we aged, the connections in the brain became fixed. Research has shown that in fact the brain never stops changing through learning. Plasticity is the capacity of the brain to change with learning. Changes associated with learning occur mostly at the level of the connections between neurons. New connections can form and the internal structure of the existing synapses can change. Cranium Crunches is one way to use brain plasticity to its capacity – to build your brain. Cranium Crunches is a program that uses brain games to stimulate new connections in the brain. It is a monthly program held on the third Tuesday of each month from 10:00 – 11:00am. The public is invited to participate at The Dale Association, 33 Ontario Street, Lockport. Please call 433-1886 to reserve your seat for January 15th and you will see that you want to mark your calendar for the third Tuesday of every month. The Dale Association is a unique non profit organization which has been responding to needs of adults in our Niagara community for 67 years. It has been said many times that our services help make lives better and we are proud to be able to do this for people with so many different needs. The Dale Association’s mission is to provide comprehensive services and coordinate connections for adults in Niagara and neighboring counties which enhance their health and wellness and empower them to build bridges into their communities. This important mission is the focal point of each program – including our Senior Services, Mental Health Services, Enrichment Activities, and Caregiver Support Services. Our Senior Services offer activities that enhance health, encourages community involvement, utilizes years of experience and allows for the development of friendships, as well as a sole local resource for the visually and hearing impaired. Memory Minders a social program for individuals with mild memory loss is also among The Dale Association’s community support services helping to improve the quality of life for adults. Our Mental Health Services have the clearly stated goal of assisting people to remain emotionally stable and living independently in the community. The Enrichment Activities are geared to developing and enhancing skills with the objective of adding to the quality of life. The goal of Caregiver Support Services is to help informal caregivers’ ability to manage and coordinate care. For more information about The Dale Association or its programs, please visit www.daleassociation.com or our blog at http://www.ExceptionalYouAtTheDale.blogspot.

How to avoid the winter blues

Ever have the winter blahs? The weather is cold and the days are darker – conditions like this drive us indoors. And, let’s face it, the holiday season can be overwhelming and as we enter January, this can also be a time where people reach an emotional low. Winter causes a mild case of the blues in about 25% of the people in the United States. If you are feeling down in January, you are not alone. Many people feel their mood shrinking this time of year – for lots of different reasons. Some suggestions to avoid the winter blues include: Eating healthy and exercise – make sure you get a variety of fruits and vegetables, eat healthy portions, and exercise. Physical and psychological wellbeing are connected. When your body feels good, so does your mind. Physical exercise releases the “happy hormones”. Sunshine and Vitamin D: new research shows that sufficient amounts of vitamin D reduce the chances of developing depression. Our bodies need sunlight to generate vitamin D. Take a walk and spend some time in the sun – take advantage of every sunny day. Laugh – this sounds simple and it is. Laughter is good for you. Watch a funny movie, be with people who make you laugh, and find the humor in things. Gratitude - Genuinely try to feel grateful – it can bring more meaning and purpose to your life. Looking at the bright side of life and feeling appreciation for the little things in life are great ways to feel better. Remember to say “thank you” for all the little things in your life today. Smile - Research shows that if we force ourselves to smile, after a while we do start feeling better. And, it will work both ways. Smiling at somebody may just brighten their day – and receiving a smile may brighten your day. So – smile today! Wear bright colors – you’ll be surprised how it can lift your mood. Music – listening to upbeat music can be uplifting as well. Socialization –The benefits of being with other people are well documented and I often write about why socialization is so important. Those that interact with others tend to be healthier, both physically and mentally, than those who become socially isolated. Happiness is getting out and being with people, and that's why I recommend it. The Dale Association is a great place to start; if you are reading this, please make The Dale a part of your 2019. We understand the importance of overall health and well being to the strength of our community. Activity is beneficial for health of people of all ages, including the older population. It can increase longevity, lower the risk of developing chronic diseases, helps to maintain individual living and enhances the overall quality of life. The Dale Association is a unique non profit organization which has been responding to needs of adults in our Niagara community for 67 years. It has been said many times that our services help make lives better and we are proud to be able to do this for people with so many different needs. The Dale Association’s mission is to provide comprehensive services and coordinate connections for adults in Niagara and neighboring counties which enhance their health and wellness and empower them to build bridges into their communities. This important mission is the focal point of each program – including our Senior Services, Mental Health Services, Enrichment Activities, and Caregiver Support Services. Our Senior Services offer activities that enhance health, encourages community involvement, utilizes years of experience and allows for the development of friendships, as well as a sole local resource for the visually and hearing impaired. Memory Minders a social program for individuals with mild memory loss is also among The Dale Association’s community support services helping to improve the quality of life for adults. Our Mental Health Services have the clearly stated goal of assisting people to remain emotionally stable and living independently in the community. The Enrichment Activities are geared to developing and enhancing skills with the objective of adding to the quality of life. The goal of Caregiver Support Services is to help informal caregivers’ ability to manage and coordinate care. For more information about The Dale Association or its programs, please visit www.daleassociation.com or our blog at http://www.ExceptionalYouAtTheDale.blogspot.