Conference at VCU will Focus on Alcohol Misuse Among Older Adults

By Mike Porter and Rebecca Gettings

Virginia Commonwealth University is hosting a conference to emphasize the best practices in providing services to older adults at risk for alcohol misuse or the potential for alcohol and medication interactions.

"The Hidden Epidemic: Alcohol, Medication and the Older Adult - Best Practices 2009" will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2009, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at VCU's University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. 

VCU’s Virginia Center on Aging, the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, the Alcohol and Aging Awareness Group and the Mid-Atlantic Addiction Technology Transfer Center are sponsoring the conference.

Nearly 200 health and social workers, family caregivers and older adults have registered to learn about the signs and symptoms of alcohol misuse, how to address the issue with clients and families and where to find help.

Speakers include:

Frederic C. Blow, Ph.D., University of Michigan, a national expert on substance abuse among older adults and co-scientific director of the Older Americans Substance Abuse & Medical Health Technical Assistance Center.

Carol Colleran, executive director of the Hanley Center, a leading advocate of addiction counseling and treatment for older adults and co-author of “Aging and Addiction: Helping Older Adults Overcome Alcohol or Medication Dependence.”

Jennifer Solomon, public health adviser, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and policy leader in developing substance abuse prevention programs for older adults.