Older Adults Can Be Addicts Too!

HAMILTON, N.J. - Sept. 4, 2013 - PRLog -- In observance of the month of September being “Recovery Month,” Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Mercer County is partnering with the Mercer County Office on Aging and the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence – NJ to present a free community workshop entitled, “Addiction Issues in Older Adults” on Tuesday, September 24^th.

Open to the public, the program will be held from 7:30 to 9 pm in the cafeteria of St. Gregory the Great Academy at 4680 Nottingham Way in Hamilton, NJ.Informational sessions will focus on the causes and signs of addiction; strategies and resources to help those affected; and personal recovery stories of older adults who have successfully overcome their own challenges.

ICGMC Executive Director Jane Latini, states, “People usually think of street drugs and younger people when they think of addiction. But that is just the tip of the iceberg. Addictions affect people of all ages and also include prescription drugs, alcohol and gambling. We want to help increase community awareness of these problems, and, most importantly, the fact that there are resources out there to help!”

The federal Subtance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, part of the US Department of Health and Human Services, designated September “Recovery Month” to help spread the positive message that “prevention works, treatment is effective and people can and do recover.”

About Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Mercer County (ICGMC)
Based in Hamilton, NJ, and serving all of Greater Mercer County, Interfaith Caregivers has recruited, screened, trained and managed nearly 2,000 volunteers who have given more than 160,000 hours of free services to more than 2,500 homebound seniors and people with disabilities. In 2012 alone, volunteers from a coalition of 25 interdenominational congregations provided 11,821 hours of free caregiving services – an 8 percent increase over 2011 – to 319 people. Services included friendly home visiting, phone calls and respite care; transportation to medical and other appointments; clerical assistance; shopping; occasional meal preparation; indoor and outdoor chores; and health/wellness education and workshops. For further information about Interfaith Caregivers and/or to reserve a seat at the September 24^th  “Addiction Issues in Older Adults” workshop, call 609-393-9922. The organization’s website is www.icgmc.org.