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

Future Trends

As the baby boomer generation gets older, experts have hypothesized that the rate of substance abuse may increase. This is due in part to the large numbers of people and to the higher rates and greater cultural acceptance of substance use among baby boomers than previous generations. The projections for the future are not encouraging. One study estimated the number of problem substance users age 50 or older will likely double during the next two decades -- from 2.5 million in 1999 to 5.0 million in 2020. ref

If these predictions are accurate, the need for substance abuse treatment will likely increase. People in all age groups need to acknowledge the possibility that -- because of the link between substance abuse and elder abuse -- the level of elder abuse could increase as well.