Opioids and Elder Abuse

​Dear Colleagues,
 
We are pleased to share our latest blog, Opioids and Elder Abuse: A Disquieting Connection, by Pamela B. Teaster, PhD,  and Karen A. Roberto, PhD, Center for Gerontology, Virginia Tech Robert Blancato, MPA, Brian W. Lindberg, MMHS, and Meredith Whitmire, JD, Elder Justice Coalition.
 
Older adults are an important but frequently forgotten generation that is affected by the opioid crisis in America. Opioid addiction doesn't just affect the person experiencing addiction. It affects everyone around them, and as we are seeing across the country, it can have devastating effects for the entire community. A study last year led by Elder Justice Coalition and Virginia Tech gathered information about the relationship between opioid use and elder abuse. This research, conducted with officials in four states, revealed double-digit increases in reported elder abuse and exploitation cases tied to misuse of opioids by either family members, caregivers or total strangers.
 
Read more about what the elder justice community needs to know about the connection between opioids and elder abuse in our latest blog.
 
Please read and share widely with your networks: http://bit.ly/OpioidsandEA
 
Sincerely,
NCEA Team