Self Care. Preventing Misuse of Medication and Alcohol in an Aging Society. Pharmacists and Prevention Specialists Working Together.

This manual, which was originally developed to supplement a corresponding continuing education program offered by the Illinois Pharmacy Foundation and Illinois Pharmacists Association, is intended as a resource for pharmacists and other health care professionals who work to prevent alcohol and drug misuse/abuse in older patients. Discussed in sections 1 and 2 are the following aspects of the pharmacology and prevention perspectives on the problem: misuse and abuse of medication, body changes in aging, procedures to follow when misuse/abuse is detected, suggestions for talking to older persons, the Illinois Prevention System, prevention programs and agencies, and services offered by the Prevention Resource Center. Section 3 outlines the steps in developing community outreach programs and presents program ideas and sample programs for pharmacists and prevention specialists. Section 4 contains reprints of 6 published articles on drug and alcohol abuse and a 15-item bibliography. Included in Section 5 are a series of self-care handouts for older adults, fact sheets on drug/alcohol misuse/abuse in older adults, and handouts to assist in conducting a medicine review and counseling older adults. Section 6 contains a clearinghouse order form, patient consent form, and sample presentation agreement. (MN)