Why should you be interested?

• Poverty, isolation, poor nutrition, inadequate health care, and elder abuse are growing problems.
• Alcohol abuse affects between 1.2 to 2.3 million older adults, nationwide.
• 17 percent of older adults often misuse or overuse prescription and non-prescription drugs.
• Depression affects 15% of older Americans in the community.
• In long term care, depression may be far more of a problem, leading to apathy, isolation, withdrawal, failure to thrive, agitation, delayed rehabilitation, and increased use of staff.
• The incidence of suicide rises markedly in people over 65.