Table of Contents

About This Course

1. Introduction to Elder Abuse
2. The Basics of Elder Abuse
3. Substance Use and Other Risk Factors
4. Screening and Assessment
5. Intervention and Treatment
6. Preventing Elder Abuse

Supplements
Case Studies
References
Resources

Out of the Shadows
Uncovering Substance Use and Elder Abuse

Substance Abuse as a Barrier

Whether the substance abuser is the perpetrator or the victim, many barriers make it difficult for older people to seek help for the substance abuse problem and elder abuse.

Older people may consciously or unconsciously deny they:

1. Have a substance abuse problem
2. Are experiencing substance abuse-related elder abuse or neglect

If the family caregiver is using drugs or alcohol, the older person may deny it because of fear of retribution or abandonment.

Older adults may fail to seek help for fear it could trigger a loss of autonomy or independence. Ignorance about individual rights to self-determination may cause older adults to keep problems of abuse hidden. Older adults addicted to drugs may fear losing the lifestyle that allows them to abuse drugs.