Addiction and Older Adults

Substance-use problems do not disappear with age.Alcohol, prescription medications, and other substances can become difficult to manage at any stage of life. For older adults, substance use may develop alongside chronic pain, grief, loneliness, anxiety, depression, retirement, sleep problems, or major changes in independence.Families may also find it difficult to recognize a problem because symptoms can resemble other health concerns.In Port Charlotte, Twin Rivers Pathways provides outpatient substance-use and behavioral health treatment, including an Intensive Outpatient Program and integrated care for people experiencing both substance use and mental health conditions.What Is a Substance Abuse Program?The clinical term substance use disorder describes a pattern of alcohol or drug use that causes meaningful problems with health, relationships, responsibilities, or daily life.Treatment programs may address concerns involving: Alcohol Prescription medications Illicit drugs Other addictive substances Different levels of treatment exist.They may include: Outpatient counseling Intensive outpatient treatment Residential treatment Medical detoxification Inpatient rehabilitation Not every provider offers every level of care.Twin Rivers Pathways focuses on outpatient behavioral health and substance-use treatment, including Intensive Outpatient Program services.Twin Rivers Pathways4161 Tamiami Trail, Unit 302, Port Charlotte, FL 33952 Phone: 941-766-0171Twin Rivers Pathways is operated through DeSoto Memorial Hospital Behavioral Health and serves adults throughout Charlotte County and surrounding Southwest Florida communities.Outpatient Substance-Use TreatmentTwin Rivers Pathways identifies substance-abuse treatment and addiction treatment among its Port Charlotte services.The provider describes its approach as helping people address substance-use disorders while developing tools intended to support long-term recovery.Because the program is outpatient, participants can continue living at home while attending treatment.That can make outpatient care suitable for individuals who are medically stable and do not require inpatient monitoring.Intensive Outpatient ProgramTwin Rivers Pathways offers an Intensive Outpatient Program, or IOP.An IOP provides more structure than occasional outpatient counseling without requiring a person to live at a treatment facility.Twin Rivers' program combines structured therapy with behavioral health treatment while allowing participants to maintain many of their normal responsibilities. An evaluation helps determine whether this level of care is appropriate.Group Therapy in Substance-Use RecoveryGroup therapy is commonly used in substance-use treatment because it gives participants a structured place to develop recovery skills and hear from others experiencing related challenges.Twin Rivers Pathways provides clinician-led group therapy within its outpatient treatment continuum. The exact content and schedule depend on the individual's treatment program.Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance-Use ConditionsSubstance use and mental health conditions frequently overlap.Someone may drink heavily while experiencing depression or anxiety. Another person may misuse medication while coping with trauma, grief, or another behavioral health condition.Twin Rivers Pathways provides dual-diagnosis care, meaning mental health and substance-use concerns can be treated together rather than as unrelated problems.The provider's current services specifically identify integrated treatment for co-occurring mental health and substance-use conditions.Why Substance-Use Treatment Matters in Port CharlottePort Charlotte has a large senior population, with 33.1% of residents age 65 or older.This makes later-life behavioral health and substance-use services especially relevant locally.Retirement can bring positive changes, but it may also bring: Loss of routine Reduced social contact Health concerns Chronic pain Grief Isolation When alcohol or medications become a way of coping with these changes, professional support can help address both the substance use and the underlying emotional needs.Having an outpatient program in Port Charlotte allows appropriate participants to seek structured treatment while remaining connected to home and family.How to Get Started With Substance-Use TreatmentStep 1: Describe What Is Happening Honestly Step 2: Call Twin Rivers PathwaysStep 3: Complete an Assessment Step 4: Verify InsuranceStep 5: Ask About Family InvolvementStep 6: Ask Whether Another Level of Care Is NeededRelated CategoriesMental Health & CounselingBehavioral HealthSupport Groups & Services

Prayer is an amazing topic. At times, it seems like we spend more time talking about prayer than the actual practice of praying.I heard about a man who came to his wife one day with an urgent prayer request from his friend. The man says to his wife that his friend, Fred, called him to pray for his wife Carol and the kids because they were in a car accident.The mans wife says, Is Carol okay? Are the kids okay? To which the man says, I dont know. Fred just asked me to pray. The mans wife says, Which hospital did they take Carol to? Were the other people in the car okay? The husband replies, I dont know. Fred just asked me to pray.Have you been there? You receive a request from a friend to pray, and you spend the entire time analyzing the situation instead of getting on your knees and praying. I get it. I do the same. I want more details.However, it may be best to stop and pray for the other person on the spot. Go ahead and get just enough information to offer a simple prayer.Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7, NIVOf course, you might be intimidated to pray for someone in public. Thats okay as well. If you are interested in the ministry of prayer at Presbyterian Homes & Services (PHS), I would suggest that you seek out your campus pastor about training in the Praying Hands Ministry program. Your campus pastor will offer a seminar so you can pray confidently with others when they bring you a prayer request. You wont have to analyze the situation. You will be ready and engaged to pray.Come and prepare to pray for others, and we will develop a culture of prayer at PHS.About Campus Pastor John Cordova: I began serving at Lake Minnetonka Shores in February 2020, just before the Covid pandemic arrived. I fill the role of director of pastoral care, the greatest job ever. I live in Maple Grove with my wife of 40-plus years. We have raised three daughters, and they have given us three wonderful grandsons (hoping for a granddaughter in the future). If we are not with our grandkids, we spend our time socializing with our neighbors.The Light for the Way series provides staff with an examination of a biblical reading to deepen our focus on scripture. Thank you for engaging with this series as we seek wisdom through prayer and reflection as a Christian Ministry.  

Older adults typically have weaker immune systems than the younger population due to the natural effects of aging. This makes illnesses like influenza and COVID-19 inherently more dangerous for seniors. Fortunately, numerous vaccines are available to help prevent getting sick or developing severe complications. August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), an annual observance that highlights the importance of vaccination for people of all ages. Take a look at the types of vaccines for seniors that can help this at-risk age group stay healthy and safe. Flu Shot for Seniors The influenza vaccine (Opens in a new window) gets more attention each year than any other type of vaccine. While there is some debate about its importance and effectiveness, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urge everyone to get a flu shot once a year, preferably in the fall at the start of flu season. Seniors are especially vulnerable to the effects of influenza, making flu shots critical for preserving health and wellness among this age group. In fact, the CDC estimates(Opens in a new window) that at least 50 percent of flu-related hospitalizations occur among people age 65 and older. Then, 70 to 85 percent of flu-related deaths happen within this age group. Here are the types of flu shots available for seniors: High-dose flu vaccines have four times the antigens as a regular flu shot. Clinical trials reveal that older adults who receive the high-dose shot are less likely to get sick than those who receive a standard dose. Adjuvanted flu vaccines have an additive known as MF59 adjuvant that helps stimulate a stronger immune response in individuals with weaker immune systems, such as older adults. This vaccine first became available in the 2016-2017 flu season. Recombinant flu vaccines are intended to provide better immunity among older adults than regular flu shots. Pneumonia Shot for Seniors Complications from pneumococcal diseasesuch as pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infectionsclaim the lives of about 18,000 seniors each year. Thats why the CDC highly recommends the pneumonia vaccine (Opens in a new window) for seniors age 65 and older. Two types of pneumococcal vaccinations are used in the USpneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV13, PCV15, or PCV20) and the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). Individuals who have never had a pneumonia shot should get a dose of PCV13 first, followed by PPSV23 six to 12 months later. Those who have already had a PPSV23 shot can get vaccinated with PCV13 after waiting at least a year. Shingles Shot for Seniors Shingles is a viral infection caused by the zoster virus. Anyone can develop shingles, but your risk is higher if you have had chickenpox. The painful shingles rash can develop anywhere on your body, but the torso is most commonly affected. The rash itself isnt dangerous, but it can lead to complications, which tend to be more severe in older adults. These include: Toxic shock syndrome Brain inflammation Pneumonia  Depression Hearing problems Vision problems Because of the high risk of complications among seniors, the CDC recommends a two-dose shingles vaccination (Opens in a new window) for everyone 50 years and older. Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine for the Elderly A vaccination known as the Tdap vaccine (Opens in a new window) protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, diseases that can be fatal if not treated promptly.  Tetanus enters the body through a cut or wound. It causes the muscles to stiffen painfully, making it hard to move, swallow, and breathe. Diphtheria spreads from person to person. It causes thick mucus to accumulate in the throat, restricting the airway and making breathing difficult. Heart failure, paralysis, or death may occur. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, spreads from person to person. It causes severe coughing that can lead to rib fractures, difficulty breathing, passing out, vomiting, and loss of bladder control. The CDC recommends the Tdap vaccine for children age 7 and older (preferably 11 or 12), followed by a booster shot every 10 years. Seniors are more vulnerable to complications from tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis and have a higher risk of hospitalization, so keeping up with Tdap booster shots is especially important for this age group. COVID Shot for Seniors 2020 saw the emergence of a novel coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2, which causes the disease known as COVID-19. Older adults and people with underlying health conditions affecting the heart and lungs are more likely to develop serious complications if they contract this illness. COVID vaccines (Opens in a new window) became available in 2021 after monumental efforts to curb the pandemic as quickly as possible. Every approved age group is advised to get vaccinated, with additional doses recommended for people with compromised immune systems.  While the vaccines are not 100% effective in preventing infection or illness, they can significantly reduce the severity of symptoms and minimize the risk of hospitalization and death. Even if you have already had COVID-19, the CDC recommends getting vaccinated because its still unknown whether recovering from the illness protects you from future infection. Hepatitis B Vaccine for the Elderly The hepatitis B virus (HBV) can cause lifelong infection, severe liver damage, and death. The hepatitis B vaccine (Opens in a new window) is available for all age groups and is recommended for adults age 60 and older who are at risk for hepatitis B infection. Risk factors include sexual exposure to another person with hepatitis B, exposure to infected blood, underlying liver disease, and travel to countries where hepatitis B is common. Older adults who do not exhibit these risk factors can still request a hepatitis B vaccine.