Injury Matters are excited to announce the launch of a pilot project focusing on preventing harm from alcohol and other drugs among older adults.
This Healthway-funded initiative will strengthen the capacity and confidence of allied health professionals to have a conversation with their older adult clients about alcohol and other drugs, screen their clients for potential harm and refer at-risk older adults to support services.
A significant proportion of older Australians drink at risky levels, with adults over 50 drinking more regularly than any other age group. Older adults are also more vulnerable to the effects of alcohol and other drugs, due to physiological differences and co-morbidities. Given WA’s ageing population and the impact alcohol and other drugs are already having on older adults wellbeing, there is an urgent need to further assist at-risk older adults.
Allied health professionals have a vital role in working with older adults to prevent illness and maintain mobility and functional ability. Via the pilot project WA allied health professionals will be provided with training on how to use the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Test (ASSIST-Lite) and given access to localised information to assist with referring clients at risk of harm from alcohol and other drugs to support services.
If you are interested in being involved in the project’s advisory group and/or are an allied health professional interested in participating in a workshop, please reach out to Roisin Sweeney via [email protected] or 6166 7688.
