Addressing Substance Use Disorders in VA Nursing Homes

Abstract

Residents of Veterans Affairs nursing homes have high rates of substance use problems. To evaluate relevant treatment resources and practices available to them, we surveyed 48 nursing home units with high substance use disorder prevalence. We summarize survey findings and describe areas of strength and weakness in addressing the needs of residents with substance use disorders. Social workers can make important contributions in key areas identified in the survey, including fostering improved communication and coordination with medical center programs, educating care staff regarding substance use in older persons, and providing discharge planning that takes into account residents' substance use history.

Keywords:

• health care practices
• older adults
• organizational policies
• quality of health care
• substance use treatment
• VA Community Living Centers (CLC)
• VA nursing homes
• veterans

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Office of Research and Development, Health Services Research and Development Service (HSR&D; IIR 03–243). The findings and conclusions are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the Department of Veterans Affairs or the U.S. government. We thank Sue Macus and Karen Mikolic for their assistance with data collection and management. We also appreciate the contribution of members of the expert panel to survey development and of participating nurse managers and other facility staff to completion of the nursing home survey.

Notes

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