Community based interventions for problematic substance use in later life: a systematic review of evaluated studies and their outcomes
Hafford-Letchfield, Trish ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0105-0678, McQuarrie, Tricia
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8868-8780, Clancy, Carmel, Thom, Betsy
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4975-7613 and Jain, Briony
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9149-5082
(2020)
Community based interventions for problematic substance use in later life: a systematic review of evaluated studies and their outcomes.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17
(21)
, e7994.
pp. 1-26.
ISSN 1660-4601
[Article]
(doi:10.3390/ijerph17217994)
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Abstract
Problematic substance use (PSU) in later life is a growing global problem of significant concern in tandem with a rapidly ageing global population. Prevention and interventions specifically designed for older people are not common, and those designed for mixed-age groups may fail to address the unique and sometimes complex needs of ageing communities. We report findings from a systematic review of the empirical evidence from studies which formally evaluated interventions used with older people and reported their outcomes. Nineteen studies were included, of which thirteen focused solely on alcohol-related problems. Eight interventions utilised different types of screening, brief advice and education. The remaining drew on behavioural, narrative and integrated or multi-disciplinary approaches, which aimed to meet older people’s needs holistically. Quality assessment of study design helped to review evaluation practice. Findings point to recommendations for sustainable and well-designed intervention strategies for PSU in later life, which purposefully align with other areas of health and well-being and are delivered in locations where older people normally seek, or receive, help. There is further scope for engagement with older people’s own perspectives on their needs and help-seeking behaviours. Economic evaluation of the outcome of interventions would also be useful to establish the value of investing in targeted services to this underserved population.
Item Type: | Article |
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Additional Information: | This article belongs to the Special Issue Problematic Alcohol Use and Health and Wellbeing across the Lifecourse. |
Keywords (uncontrolled): | ageing, older people, problematic substance use, interventions, evaluation, care services |
Research Areas: | A. > School of Health and Education > Mental Health, Social Work and Interprofessional Learning |
Item ID: | 31314 |
Useful Links: | |
Depositing User: | Jisc Publications Router |
Date Deposited: | 02 Nov 2020 08:56 |
Last Modified: | 23 Jan 2023 15:40 |
URI: | https://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/id/eprint/31314 |
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