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CREATIVE THOUGHT AT WORK The boom in boomer addictions


Grandma turning to the bottle for comfort? Grandpa addicted to pain meds? Chemical dependency is not just an issue for the younger set. As the US population grays—people are living longer, many baby boomers are turning 60—more and more seniors are abusing drugs and alcohol.


No one knows that better than Nicole MacFarland ’89, executive director of Sen- ior Hope Counseling in Albany, New York State’s only outpatient substance-abuse clinic that caters exclusively to people 50 and older.


MacFarland’s professional journey began in the 1980s when she double- majored in psychology and sociology at Skidmore. Social-work classes and an in- ternship at Saratoga’s Four Winds Hospi- tal laid the groundwork for earning an MSW from the University of Pennsylva- nia and a PhD from SUNY-Albany, where she focused on geriatric addictions. Named clinical director at Senior Hope in 2004, she became executive director in 2012.


The clinic, which opened in 2002, has


served hundreds of clients. Their average age is 67, though MacFarland observes a trend of “younger elders” needing addic- tion services. “We lowered our age served, from 55-plus to 50- plus, because of the demand in our com- munity,” she says. “But we always say 50 is the new 20 and 60 is the new 30.”


As aging Baby Boom ers balloon the practitioners is also critical.


MacFarland has published numerous ar- ticles, online courses, and book chapters, lectured locally and nationally, and taken to the radio waves and TV programs to help educate communities about geriatric addictions and co-occur- ring disorders. In 2010 she was named Social Worker of the Year by New York’s chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. According to MacFarland, among the seniors with chemical depend- ency who come to Senior Hope, two-thirds have had “early onset” (prior to age 40) addiction. The majority are males, many of whom have medical problems due to long-term substance misuse. “Later onset” (after 40) addiction is more common among females. Com- mon catalysts for addiction include retirement (a lack of structure to the day may lead to increased use of alcohol), loss of physical dex - terity, chronic pain, and even just loneliness.


“WHILE THE YOUNGER


COHORT MAY FIND IT HIP TO SAY, ‘I JUST SAW MY SHRINK AND HIT AN AA


MEETING,’ ELDERS GREW UP WHEN MENTAL ILLNESS AND ADDICTION WERE KEPT HIDDEN.”


population of elder citizens to unprece- dented levels, their health care—includ- ing addiction treatment—remains a hot topic. Research indicates that the num- ber of adults over age 50 with substance- abuse problems will double from 2.5 mil- lion in 1999 to 5 million by 2020. Al- ready, MacFarland says, “we do not have sufficient services to meet the growing needs of older addicted adults.” And training the next generation of geriatric


Seniors sometimes lose sight of mean- ing and purpose in life and plummet into depression, MacFarland says, and “it may be difficult for them to realize they are on a path of self- de- struction.” If family, friends, or caregivers are alert to warning signs—including dis- orientation, falls, in- juries, social isolation, poor nutrition, diffi- culty making decisions


SUSTAINABILITY COORDINATOR LEVI ROGERS (RIGHT) LEADS A TOUR OF SKIDMORE’S GREEN FACILITIES.


—referral to a clinic like Senior Hope may be life-saving. A complete psycho - social assessment can identify if the per- son has a substance-abuse problem. Alcohol dependence is primary among Senior Hope clients. But prescription drug addiction is on the rise—particularly with opiates and benzodiazepine tranquilizers. MacFarland says the latter are prescribed to older adults more than any other age group and can lead to dependence on


strong, fast-acting medications. Too, she is seeing greater numbers of younger sen- iors who are dependent on more than one drug.


NICOLE MACFARLAND ’89 TAILORS HER ADDICTION COUNSELING TO THE OVER-50 SET.


Counseling at Senior Hope consists of one-on-one meetings and group sessions on topics including grief and loss, mental health and recovery, and relapse preven- tion. Custom-tailored treatment is espe- cially effective; “older adults need and can benefit from age-specific services,” MacFarland says. “Seniors may be reluc- tant to admit having a problem or to seek help. While the younger cohort may find it hip to say, ‘I just saw my shrink and then hit an AA meeting,’ elders grew up when mental illness and addiction were kept hidden and individuals often suf- fered silently.”


MacFarland is grateful to be doing meaningful work with “an amazing staff and board of directors” at Senior Hope. But that’s just half the story. The clients are what really make it all worthwhile for her. Their willingness to make changes at this later stage of life is remarkable, she says. “Most of them realize this may be their last opportunity to ‘get it right’ and leave behind a positive legacy.” —MTS


SPRING 2015 SCOPE 35


GARY GOLD


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