Treatment Programs

Substance Use Treatment Programs for Older Adults

Caron’s powerful proven addiction treatment is specially designed to accommodate the needs and issues common in older adults.

Older couple with eyes closed, hugging each other with their arms on each other's shoulders.

At a Glance

  • Dedicated units

    offer private rooms in state-of-the-art medical centers.

  • Clinical and medical needs

    determine length of stay.

  • Full-time and on-site treatment teams

    provide medical, psychological, psychiatric, and nursing care.

  • Supportive group therapy

    addresses bereavement, denial, anger, shame, age-related loss, and loneliness.

  • Mobility and medical needs

    are assessed daily.

  • Chronic pain

    Is addressed through education, therapy, and medical treatment.

  • Programs for family members

    focus on options for self-care.

Highlights of Caron's Older Adult Programs

Caron’s specialized Older Adult Programs address addiction along with co-occurring conditions commonly seen in older adults. Our programs are adapted to a person’s age and physical, emotional, and spiritual condition, and are effective for early intervention, treatment, and relapse prevention. We use proven behavioral health therapies that preserve dignity, build self-esteem, and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

The programs are located in Caron’s state-of-the-art medical centers on our Pennsylvania and Florida campuses.

Adaptable, Comprehensive Treatment Programs

The daily schedule is crafted to adhere to each patient’s pace with the inclusion of activities that take into account mobility and possible co-occurring mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and trauma. Significant medical issues — like chronic pain, diabetes, or cardiac problems — are also taken into account in the individualized treatment plan.

Throughout treatment, our interdisciplinary addiction specialists continually reassess and adjust care plans, helping patients build social support networks, gain self-awareness, overcome difficult emotions such as grief and depression, and restore their sense of meaning and purpose.

Treatment Components

  • Certified nursing assistant assigned to each new patient for 24/7 initial support
  • Chronic pain management
  • Comprehensive family program
  • Coordination of off-site medical appointments with transportation provided
  • Full-time medical staffing 24 hours a day at state-of-the art medical centers
  • Grief and loss counseling, including issues related to loss of spouse/partner, functionality, and identity
  • Integrative neurofeedback therapy
  • Medication assessment to ensure appropriate prescription and dosage
  • Medically supervised detoxification on-site
  • Psychological assessments that include expanded neurological assessments as clinically indicated (Additional fees may be required at Caron Pennsylvania.)
  • Recovery support meetings, including on-site 12-step programming
  • Relapse prevention
  • Robust continuing care planning and alumni services
  • Safety features such as call bells, pull cords, and grab bars
  • Spiritual counseling

Note: Unless otherwise indicated, these treatment components are available on both the Florida and Pennsylvania campuses.

Wellness Therapies and Services

  • Art therapy
  • Exercise
  • Meditation
  • Mindfulness
  • Movement therapy
  • Music therapy
  • Physical therapy
  • Salon services (Florida campus)
  • Swimming pool with aquatic therapy (Florida campus)
  • Yoga

Note: Unless otherwise indicated, these therapies and services are available on both the Florida and Pennsylvania campuses.

Signs and Symptoms of Substance Use Disorder in Older Adults

Because some of the signs of substance abuse mirror the signs of aging, it can be difficult to recognize if there is an issue or its extent. Medications that many older people take may mask or mimic substance abuse symptoms. The fact that older people generally also drink or take drugs at home alone also makes it difficult to know if they need treatment for substance use disorder.

Due to the normal aging process, drugs and alcohol affect every part of the body differently because it cannot metabolize the same way it had. Here are some signs to evaluate:

  • Agitation
  • Altered liver function
  • Anemia
  • Anxiety
  • Changes in eating habits, particularly not eating as much
  • Changes in mental abilities
  • Decline in personal cleanliness
  • Depression
  • Drinking in spite of warning labels on prescription drugs
  • Fatigue or weakness
  • Hostility/violence
  • Incontinence
  • Increased confusion
  • Irritability
  • Loss of friends or not staying in regular touch
  • Loss of interest in favorite activities
  • Marital problems
  • Memory lapses or impairment
  • Mood swings
  • Not being oriented to date, time, and place
  • Panic attacks
  • Problems sleeping and/or sleeping more during the day
  • Repeated falls
  • Slurred speech
  • Solitary or secretive drinking
  • Unable to complete activities of daily living
  • Unexplained burns/bruises

Treatment ends. Our support does not.

The treatment team develops a continuing care plan with tools and recommendations for the patient. Caron also offers free alumni support activities as well as optional support programs like My Recovery Connection and the Breakthrough Program.

Caron's outpatient treatment in Atlanta, Wyomissing, Pa., Philadelphia, and Greater Washington, D.C. as well as recovery support services at our recovery centers in New York City and Washington, D.C. can also be of assistance.

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