Review Article, J Addict Behav Ther Rehabil Vol: 2 Issue: 1
Get Ready for the Boom: Why Rehabilitation Professionals Should Expect to See More Older Adults with Addiction Related Disorders and what Needs to be Done to be Prepared to Serve them Well
| D. Gent Dotson1*, J. Chad Duncan1, Shawn Ricks2, Dennis Bunton3, Sharon J. Davis4 and Ann Melvin5 | |
| 1Department of Rehabilitation Studies, Alabama State University, USA | |
| 2Rehabilitation Studies, Winston-Salem State University, USA | |
| 3Rehabilitation Institute, Southern Illinois University, USA | |
| 4Arkansas State University, USA | |
| 5University of Illinois Springfield, US | |
| Corresponding author : D. Gent Dotson, Ph.D Department of Rehabilitation Studies, Alabama State University, USA E-mail: gentdotson@gmail.com |
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| Received: September 09, 2012 Accepted: November 28, 2012 Published: December 02, 2012 | |
| Citation: Dotson DG, Duncan JC, Ricks S, Bunton D, Davis SJ, et al. (2013) Get Ready for the Boom: Why Rehabilitation Professionals Should Expect to See More Older Adults with Addiction Related Disorders and what Needs to be Done to be Prepared to Serve them Well. J Addict Behav Ther Rehabil 2:1. doi:10.4172/2324-9005.1000101 |
Abstract
Get Ready for the Boom: Why Rehabilitation Professionals Should Expect to See More Older Adults with Addiction Related Disorders and what Needs to be Done to be Prepared to Serve them Well
Due to the large number of individuals in the emerging cohort of older adults in the United States, known as the Baby Boom generation, rehabilitation professionals from all disciplines should expect to deal frequently with older individuals in the upcoming years; therefore, professionals in such fields should be equipped with the knowledge and skills to successfully care for the needs of this growing population. The purpose of this article is to outline some of the key differences between the current cohort of older adults and the emerging cohort of older adults in regards to their use of addictive substances and their willingness to seek help for addiction related issues. Additionally, the researchers outline some of the key issues and needed competencies for rehabilitation professionals to be able to provide quality services to this growing population of consumers.
