Event Details
The public rarely pictures older adults when hearing about the opioid epidemic, yet older adult opioid use is on the rise. In 2016, one in three Part D beneficiaries received a prescription opioid, often exceeding the manufacturer's recommended dosage. The AARP Bulletin (January 2018) reports that between the years 2000 and 2015, opioid overdose deaths among adults ages 65 and 74 increased sevenfold. When correctly prescribed, opioids can be an effective tool, yet opioids also pose significant risks: breathing complications, fall risk, confusion, sedation and drug interaction. This workshop will review the risks of older adult opioid use and how to effectively prevent and address opioid use disorders in older adults.
1.0 CE Credit will be awarded to nurses, social workers, professional counselors, and nursing home administrators.