What are the Issues that Older People Face in Relation to Substance Use? Free Course

Older people face specific issues in relation to problematic substance use. Demography and a growing aging population make understanding these ever more important. But older people’s problems tend to be more invisible, both in care services and in substance use services. The online course “Falling Down: Problematic Substance Use in Later Life” brings these issues together from a health, social care, informal carer and public health point of view. It draws on international perspectives from experts in the UK, New Zealand, Australia and the USA, to compare and share knowledge, skills and best practice with the community.

The course is designed for: Professionals and support staff working in the areas of problematic substance use and aging; older people, families and their community-based networks who may be dealing with issues in their day to day lives; and, educators who wish to build their knowledge across disciplines and internationally.

Falling Down: Problematic Substance Use in Later Life – Course Content

In this course, you will learn about the issues faced by older people in relation to problematic substance use. The course includes the following topics:

Introduction to the issues concerning problematic substance use for older people, context, causes, recognition.
Comparison and sharing of knowledge, skills, and expertise across different disciplines as well as internationally.
Identifying interventions and best practices to tackle the issues and promote health and well-being in aging populations.
Developing a community of practice and networking on the issues.

Summary of Course Main Features

Developed by: Middlesex University Business School – one of the largest Business Schools in the UK.
Educators: Carmel Clancy, Trish Hafford-Letchfield, Anna Nelson, Suzy Morrison, and Allan Trifonoff
Start Date: 30 October 2017
Duration: 5 weeks x 5 hours per week