According to data obtained from many renowned sources, there are around 2.5 million senior citizens who are suffering from drug and alcohol abuse. In most cases, this condition is ignored by the family member, which is very dangerous in the long run. The initial step towards addiction treatment for senior citizens is recognizing the unusual behavior in your loved ones and diagnosis for substance abuse.
Most often alcoholics start drinking without any control, after reaching the later stages of their life. In the case of adults and older adults, the reason for getting into addiction is depression (in most cases). However, in the later stages of a person's life, the reason for addiction most often is some unfortunate events in their lives. This unfortunate event can be the death of someone very close or a family member. Or the reason could also be retirement from work, loss of mobility or anything that has brought about uncertainty in a person's life.
There are some obvious reasons because of which substance abuse goes unnoticed in older adults. And, the most common of them all is the similarity of aging signs with that of the symptoms of substance abuse. It's easy to take care of an adult's addiction because they take drugs or alcohol at home. Some of the most common symptoms that can help you with recognizing substance abuse include Agitation, Anxiety, Depression, Hostility/violence, Fatigue or weakness, Increased confusion, Irritability, Lapses in memory, Mood swings, Panic attacks, and more.
In most of the cases, drug abuse often goes unnoticed and they are dismissed comparing them to the symptoms related to aging. Many professionals and specialists, unfortunately, suggest it just a waste of money and time to provide treatment at such an age.
Seniors-Only Rehab Centers can offer a really great environment for elderly people to fight addiction or substance abuse. There are plenty of benefits of living in these setups. The person can easily find their peer groups where they can discuss their issues without any stress of being judged. In these Seniors-Only Rehab Centers, the key to recovery is the unconditional support and understanding from people around them be it the peer group or the healthcare professions.
Under the senior-only rehabs, seniors are provided with equipment to fulfill all of their needs. Seniors face an extra burden on their minds because of their various age-related issues. At the senior-only rehabs, doctors and nurses are given special training to handle multiple health issues commonly found in seniors. They also take care of the fact that these treatment programs do not interfere with each other. The senior-only rehabs completely understand the not so normal conditions of this group of patients and they customize treatment programs according to the needs of the individual.
At an alcohol addiction treatment center, the patient is first evaluated comprehensively. He is evaluated for their mental, physical, and emotional health. In addition to that, there are specialists who will study the patient's medical history. In the course of the treatment program, these specialists will use this information to customize the recovery program for the individual patient. And, this information is used until the discharge date of the person.
Then the patient is made ready for detox treatment. Under the process of detoxification, a person's body is freed from the effect of alcohol/drug. In this step of treatment, the person is treated under the supervision of experts. After the detoxification stage, the patient enters into the rehabilitation stage. This stage will take around four to six weeks and the patient is treated in every possible way in the quest of leading a sober life.
In most cases, these senior-only treatment facilities provide a 12-step treatment program. Lectures and educational sessions are organized with regards to the unhealthy effects of alcoholism. This helps patients better understand alcoholism and its best effects. They are given one-on-one therapy and exercise classes that consequently helps them recover.
Most of the drug-related issues, in senior people, are because of the medications prescribed by the doctor. The majority of senior addicts get used to taking prescribed medicines to fight pain or an injury. And, some of these medicines have that kind of composition that gradually makes the person addicted to it.
Same as with alcohol rehab, in case of drug rehabilitation, the treatment starts with detoxification. This process may also result in many side-effects and therefore, it needs to be done under the supervision of professionals. Withdrawal symptoms for the same can be really strong and unbearable sometimes. Professionals can help with certain medications to fight the withdrawal symptoms.
Under these programs, the professionals also make use of various therapies including group, family, and individual. These therapies provide an open space where they can share their feelings and challenges they have suffered. In a friendly environment, the group members interact with one another and inculcate new and improved habits to lead a healthier and happier life.
It's not easy to choose a senior rehab as there are a lot of confusion and various aspects that have to be taken care of before taking the final decision. However, there are certain guidelines that one can follow smartly and choose the best senior rehab center.
The foremost thing that should be taken care of while choosing a senior rehab center is the kind of staff it has. Look for a rehab center that has trained staff who specialize in Geriatric. Make sure that the staff can take care of the special needs of elderly including fitness, mental health, and nutrition. Check out if this staff can handle the specific needs of the elderly in an inspiring and positive way.
It's important to be sure that you are going to get 24/7 supervision under the program. One of the key reasons to opt for rehab is getting round-the-clock attention from professionals. So, before you choose a senior rehab for yourself or for your loved ones, it's important to know that the patient can have all time access to physicians, nurses, and other professionals. In addition to that, also make sure that the rehab has certified nurses who specialize in rehabilitation.
Another criterion to consider when choosing a senior rehab facility is how treatment programs are developed. Make sure that the facility you are choosing, develop their treatment programs under a comprehensive team of nurses recreational therapists, social workers, psychologists, and trained nurses.
Make sure that they have programs designed in a way to give a minimum of three hours of therapy every day. It has to be five days a week.