THE EFFECTS OF THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC ON OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR FAMILIES: SETTING THE STAGE FOR ABUSE

No one group is immune from the opioid epidemic, but frequently forgotten are older adults (OAs). This presentation draws upon the sparse scientific and popular literature to explore the effects of opioids on the lives of OAs and their families. While opioids and related prescription/non-prescription drugs frequently are the treatment of choice for chronic health problems/pain, misuse can lead to a life of addiction for individuals in their “golden years,” fraught with emotional distress, diminished relationships, criminal activity, and even, premature death. A more hidden pathway in which opioids infiltrate OAs’ lives is though the addiction of family members who rely on them for money, childcare, food, and shelter. These OAs may be directly or inadvertently stripped of their resources and quality of life as a result of the struggles of those around them. Discussion focuses on the serious threat that opioids pose to the health and well-being of OAs.