Alcohol Abuse and Medication Misuse in Older Adults As Estimated by Service Providers

Abstract

Staff providing services to older adults in Florida and North Carolina were asked to estimate the prevalence of alcohol abuse and medication misuse among their clients. Although there, were high prevalence rates in both states, Florida estimates were greater, especially by staff offering on-site rather than in-home ser- vices. Estimates of direct ,care and administrative staff did not differ. Few staff received in-service training on substance abuse issues, despite ranking the topics of "medication misuse" and "counseling older substance abusers" as highest priority. Results are discussed in terms of the different samples and methodology used. Implications for further training and research are discussed.