This FREE webinar series co-hosted by the FLGEC and the Western New York Rural Area Health Education Center (WNY R-AHEC) will introduce participants to the evolving trends leading to the current opioid crisis in the United States and how the population of older adults are impacted.
An Overview of Addiction from a Medical Perspective
Presenter: Gregory Collins, DO, MPH, Commissioner of Public Health, Wyoming County, New York
Date: Tuesday January 28, 2020, 12:30pm—1:30pm
The presentation discusses the history of addiction, the current opioid crisis, the Why? we become addicted from a biologic, psychologic and social perspective and current options for treatment.
Wisdom Keepers and Opioid Use – Influence of Stigma, Shame, Loneliness
Presenter: Ednita M. Wright, PhD, LCSW, CASAC, Associate Professor, Department of Human Services, SUNY Onondaga Community College
Date: Wednesday February 26, 2020, 12:30pm—1:30pm
Participants will receive an overview of opioid use among Wisdom Keepers (Older Adults); reasons for abuse; the power of the use stigmatizing language, the reason that language matters; how loneliness and shame increase the use of opioids among Wisdom Keepers; and effective ways to reduce the stigma that Wisdom Keepers face which keep them from the support they need and deserve.
Videos included within the presentation:
Surgeon General – Social Connections
Think Cultural Health – Cultural and Religious Beliefs
Think Cultural Health – Pain Meds and Orthopaedics
Biopsychosocial Approach to Pain in Older Adults
Presenter: Paul Dougherty, DC, Adjunct Professor, New York Chiropractic College; Canandaigua VAMC
Date: Tuesday March 10, 2020, 12:30—1:30pm
This presentation will review the biopsychosocial model and how this approach is effective in addressing pain as well as the unique psychological and social comorbidities in an older population.
The Opioid Epidemic – How we have gotten to this point, its’ effects on older adults, and where do we go from here?
Presenters: Thomas Caprio, MD, MPH, MS, and Ann Olin, MA, CRC, CASAC, CCM,
Date: Thursday May 28, 2020, 12:30pm—1:30pm
Alternatives to Pain Medications
Presenter: Anna Ratka, PharmD, RPh, CPE
Date: Thursday June 18, 2020, 12:30—1:30pm
These projects are sponsored by the Finger Lakes Geriatric Education Center funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) under the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program # U1QHP28738. This information or content and conclusions are those of the authors/speakers and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, DHHS, or the U.S. Government.
