Substance Abuse in the Elderly: 2023 Statistics & Data

These results may be due to the lack of effect of exercise on sleep (“a” pathway, Figure 2), as we did observe associations between sleep and cognition (“b” pathway, Figure 2). Potential explanations of the null effect of exercise on sleep in our cohort are detailed above. However, it is important to consider that this is the first experimental study to test a mediating effect of sleep on associations between exercise and cognition, and was intended as a proof-of-concept trial, thus we https://ecosoberhouse.com/ cannot draw conclusions regarding statistical significance. From our results we see that the magnitude of our indirect effects was very small (Table 3). One previous observational study also reported null indirect effects for the impact of physical activity on cognition through sleep (Yuan et al., 2020). Thus, it is crucial to further test this mediation model using objectively measured sleep in an experimental design to determine cause-effect associations between these variables.

Similarly, an approximate 16% change in light sleep would be required to produce this change in episodic memory. Given the average variability across baseline sleep nights was 2.98% for deep sleep, and 5.86% for light sleep, the required change is quite large, and would be unlikely to occur acutely in the current sample. We acknowledge that this proof-of-concept study is subject to limitations, including small sample size, resulting in limited power to detect a mediating effect of sleep on the relationship between exercise and cognition. Given that there is cross-sectional evidence for a mediating effect of sleep on the relationship between exercise and cognition, future studies should consider testing this model in a larger sample, with a chronic exercise intervention.

Most Commonly Abused Substances​

Some screening tools are adaptations of instruments created for younger adults, and others have been designed for older adults. Interview screening tools or global selfreport measures are less intrusive or burdensome to the older adult than blood or urine tests. Furthermore, the use of biologic screening (ie, laboratory tests) has limited utility and can be problematic in older adults, as isolating impaired bodily functions (ie, liver function) as the result of alcohol or other substances versus prescribed medications may be difficult. Each of the instruments listed next have strengths and weaknesses related to resources required to implement them or applicability to older adults. It is important to note that many of the health benefits of moderate alcohol use for older adults may come with negative trade-offs. Alcohol can interact dangerously with medications taken by older adults, including over-the-counter drugs, herbal remedies, and prescriptions.

Read more increase the amount of drug available or when different practitioners prescribe a drug and are unaware that another practitioner prescribed the same or a similar drug (therapeutic duplication). This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist.

What protection does a flu vaccine provide if I do get sick with flu?

If that doesn’t work, consider asking their doctor, minister, or a longtime friend to approach them instead. The following table shows the many types of barriers older adults potentially face in addressing substance misuse. The table includes citations of supporting research; access these references to learn more about each barrier and how it affects older adults.

Despite dissemination and knowledge of the American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria® and other criteria, inappropriate drugs are still being prescribed for older adults; typically, about 20% of community-dwelling older adults receive at least one inappropriate drug. In nursing home patients, inappropriate use also increases risk of hospitalization and death. Adverse drug effects can occur in any patient, but certain characteristics of older adults make them more susceptible. For example, older adults often take multiple drugs and have age-related changes in pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics; both increase the risk of adverse effects.

Confronting the Challenges of Solo Aging

In particular, irritable colon and bladder inflammation have been linked to colon cancer in persons over 60. In addition, elder substance abuse causes an increased risk of household-related accidents, like falls, bone fractures, and burns. Seniors take more prescription medications than younger adults, increasing the risk of misuse and harmful interactions. A community-based cross-sectional study of 3005 persons between substance abuse in older adults the ages of 57 and 85 found that 36% of women and 37.1% of men used at least five prescription drugs concurrently. The study also showed that about 1 in 25 of those surveyed faced a high risk of a drug interaction. In older patients with a chronic disorder, acute or unrelated disorders may be undertreated (eg, hypercholesterolemia may be untreated in patients with COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]).

I also do not recommend that people who have decided to get the RSV vaccine to wait. RSV infections are rising now, and you want to get some immune protection prior to being exposed to RSV. The total number of hospitalized adults due to RSV is still relatively low, but to me the overall point is that this is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can cause real harm in vulnerable people.

Why We Need a Broader Framework for Solo Agers

Dashed lines represent ± SDCind (z-score of 1.3) for attention from each participant’s best baseline attention score. During the control condition, participants were asked to sit quietly in a lab room for the same amount of time as the exercise protocol (29 min). Participants were not permitted to use personal devices during this time and were instead provided with a set of magazines to read. On the day of the control condition, participants were asked to refrain from exercise for the whole day. Participants completed a 5-min warm-up at 40% peak power output (determined via the average peak power of baseline fitness assessments) on the Velotron ergometer followed by ten 1-min intervals at 80% peak power output interspaced with 1-min intervals at 40% peak power output. After the intervals, participants completed a 4-min cooldown at 40% peak power output.