Contributed by By Sally Perkins Although often overlooked, nutrition plays a key role in an addict's long term recovery process, according to Today's Dietitian. While teaching about the dangers of substance abuse, recovery specialists should also educate concerned individuals on the use of medical nutrition therapy in helping drug addicts. MNT for ...

By Hazel Bridges Limited mobility is a challenge many seniors citizens face. You may have even noticed your own parents struggling with small tasks they used to do easily. The worst part for most people is having to start relying on family members more for everyday activities. But they shouldn’t have to give up their independence entirely in their own homes. There are modifications you can make that can help them regain some control of your life.Recognizing Mobility Issues In order to plan necessary modifications, it is obviously important to thoroughly understand which areas they are struggling with. Make a point when visiting to observe how Mom or Dad gets around the house. Input from the doctor and other health care professionals may give you insight on your parents’ abilities and areas of difficulty. Once you know their difficulties, you can create a plan to help them improve their surroundings. Preventing...

By Sally Perkins There are 5.5 million seniors in the US that are over the age of 85, making this the fastest growing age group in the US. As seniors age, mobility tends to decline, and tasks like cleaning are challenging. Furthermore, despite being just 13% of the population, seniors are prescribed a third of all medications. This access to heavy medication combined with social isolation can be a toxic mix which may cause addictions to alcohol as well as prescription and recreational drugs. Many of the problems associated with addiction can be dealt with by keeping the house clean. This may mean modifying the routine to make it manageable. Here are four reasons to keep a clean house as a senior. Reduce the Risk of FallsIf you have clutter on the floors, you could trip on it. This is especially true when visibility is low, or when you are in...

By Karli Rymer, Wellspring Center for Prevention intern Growing older brings on many changes in life. This includes changes in health, lifestyle, family obligations, work roles, and sources of support. These changes the elderly face are accompanied by physical pain, stress, loneliness, and loss of mobility. It is no wonder why elderly people may turn to alcohol and drugs in later life. The very real struggles of aging may impel seniors towards substance abuse or exacerbate a problem that has been developing for years. In fact, there are 2.5 million older adults with an alcohol or drug problem. The severity of the substance abuse and elderly issue rests in some staggering statistics. Approximately 14% of elderly emergency hospital admissions are a result of alcohol or drug problems as well as 20% of elderly psychiatric hospital admissions. Almost 50% of nursing home residents have alcohol related problems. Widowers over the age of...

By Hazel Bridges With the widespread opioid addiction crisis over the last decade, Americans have seen more and more seniors fall prey to drug abuse. While it can start for many different reasons, it can be extremely dangerous and difficult for the senior population to recover from substance abuse, and unfortunately misuse of prescription drugs by seniors is estimated to grow exponentially by 2020 --a 100% jump from 2001, according to DrugRehab.org. Often, seniors who don’t have sufficient health insurance coverage and are on a tight budget will resort to using medication meant for someone else, or they will self-medicate with over-the-counter drugs or alcohol. They may use these substances to numb the pain or to cope with loneliness, grief, or isolation, all of which affect many seniors even when they have loving family members around them. This use of substances can be dangerous or even deadly to a senior whose...