Drug and alcohol treatment programs which cater to the unique needs of seniors and older adults can be more helpful for this client demographic. Senior and older adult centered treatment can be helpful with the initial stigma that seniors may feel they may experience when going to treatment and it offers the peer support from individuals in their stage of life who understand the unique challenges they face. In younger age facilities seniors and older adults can at times be less likely to contribute completely in group activities with younger clients who are not familiar with their generational and age related unique challenges. Drug and Alcohol treatment programs that provide a more age appropriate forum for seniors and older adults can deliver a connection of mutual respect, understanding, and comfort to work through the difficulties in recovery.
Rehabilitation staff at addiction rehab centers for seniors and older adults are prepared to offer their unique expertise with older clients to work on age-related, generational, and broader substance abuse related issues alike, while also considering any unique mental or physical health issues or challenges this demographic of client faces while in treatment. Program curriculum for seniors and older adults may be delivered with verbal or audio impairments in mind, such as larger type in reading material or treatment professionals who are experienced with such needs of older clients by the way individual and group counseling sessions.
Seniors and older adults are disproportionately prone to the abuse of alcohol and prescription drugs, and as part of recovery many need medical assistance not just through detoxification but to determine which medical drugs should be continued or eliminated as part of their recovery plan and their transition to a clean and sober lifestyle that will prolong their life.