Wolf Administration Meets with Leaders at Caron Treatment Centers Amidst Rise in Addiction Among Older Adults

​Wernersville, PA – Pennsylvania Department of Aging Secretary Teresa Osborne visited with leadership at  Caron Treatment Centers today to learn more about its approach to treating addiction and to discuss Governor Tom Wolf’s statewide opioid disaster declaration.

Caron, a not-for-profit provider of addiction and behavioral healthcare treatment with 60 years in the field, provides each patient with a multidisciplinary treatment team of professionals, and incorporates the patient’s family into the treatment process to ensure that a customized treatment plan is well-tailored to their needs. The older adult program provides a full range of psychological, psychiatric, and medical services in a compassionate way that supports each individual’s transformation to a healthy and productive life.

“Substance use disorder and addiction is a growing problem for seniors whose unique circumstances require specialized treatment,” said Secretary Osborne. “The Wolf Administration’s efforts to support lifelong recovery for all Pennsylvanians facing the disease of addiction is reflected in Caron’s approach to provide age-specific treatment options that ensure that older adults can access the care they need with the dignity and respect they deserve.”

Addiction in older adults is one of America’s fastest growing health issues. Today, 2.5 million older adults have an alcohol or drug problem. Widowers over the age of 75 have the highest rate of alcoholism in the U.S., and older adults are hospitalized as often for alcohol-related problems as they are for heart attacks.  Nevertheless, addiction in older adults can be difficult to detect, as warning signs mimic insomnia, forgetfulness and other common age-related health issues.

“Today’s older adults typically have more complex needs that require a fully integrated approach to treatment – which includes addressing co-occurring behavioral and medical problems and issues such as grief and loss,” said Dr. Joseph Garbely, Vice President of Medical Services and Medical Director at Caron. “It’s critical that they receive ethical, quality treatment in a setting that addresses every facet of their lives to ensure the best possible outcomes.”

To learn more about the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, visit www.aging.pa.gov. To learn more about Caron Treatment Centers, visit www.caron.org.