September is National Recovery Month, a time to celebrate those who are putting in the hard work to start or maintain their sobriety and to remind ourselves that maintaining sobriety is possible at any stage of life. This year’s theme, Recovery is REAL (Restoring Every Aspect of Life), feels especially meaningful when thinking about how substance use touches older adults and their families. Today’s blog post features an interview with Lisa Catledge, Catholic Charities Washtenaw County’s Senior Prevention Coordinator. Lisa runs the Seniors for Healthy Choices program, a six-week substance use prevention training designed specifically with older adults and caregivers in mind. The program looks at the full picture: how our attitudes about aging shape substance use, how the body processes medications and alcohol differently as we grow older, and practical tools like safe medication disposal, understanding prescription labels, and tips for talking openly with doctors. 

 

Senior Resource Connect: If you had to give an “elevator speech” about what your programs do, how would you describe them? 

Lisa Catledge: As the Senior Prevention Coordinator, I am responsible for presenting prevention education for seniors age 60 and above in Washtenaw County.  We are funded through the Community Mental Health Partnership of Southeast Michigan to provide medication management/substance misuse prevention programming.  Our program is called Seniors for Healthy Choices (SFHC), an evidence-based program spread over six weeks that covers a variety of topics, including changes associated with aging, valuing cultural and generational differences, medications, substance misuse, and enhancing quality of life.  We serve refreshments at each session. Each participant receives a Medication Toolkit that includes a brochure with helpful tips on medication disposal and questions to ask your doctor, a magnet with local resources for substance abuse programs, a medicine bottle opener, and a medication diary.  Also, the Medication Toolkits are available for any seniors in Washtenaw County, not just the ones attending the program! 

 

SRC: Walk me through the step-by-step process. What happens when you get a phone call/referral?  

LC: We can host the program at any agency or facility.  What I’ve been doing is contacting local agencies who work with seniors and offering to present our program at their place. We also publicize our program at local libraries and places where seniors gather.  When seniors call us interested in SFHC, we can tell them when and where they can attend the next program.  We’re also busy distributing Medication Toolkits where they are needed in the community.  Seniors are also welcome to come by the CCWC office and pick one up. 

 

SRC: What are some examples of services you can and cannot provide with your programs? 

LC: Sometimes residents or agencies outside Washtenaw County ask to participate in our programming.  Unfortunately, we have funding constraints that prevent us from offering this program outside of Washtenaw County, but this may change as our programming evolves.  Also, we are often asked if we can shorten our program to less than six weeks. However, the sessions build on each other, and the length of time gives attendees a chance to make new connections and not be as isolated as they might normally be.  

 

SRC: What organizations do you work closely with? 

LC: We work closely with senior centers, libraries, independent living facilities, other senior service agencies, Churches, health providers and pharmacies plus a few others.  This year we are excited to be making more connections on the west side of the county, and I am looking forward to many more presentations there. 

 

SRC: What are some things you wish the public knew about your role?  

 LC: CCWC is one of the only agencies in the state that provides prevention programming for older adults.  When most people think of prevention, they usually think of adolescents and young adults.  However, older adults struggle with these issues too, especially since they usually take several medications and are more likely to misuse them or mix them with other substances, such as alcohol, that can cause harm.  Speaking of which, I like to think that our sessions offer older adults ways to reduce harm and increase healing in their lives. 

 

SRC: What tips do you have for someone with a loved one that may be struggling with substance abuse or taking their medication(s) as prescribed? 

LC: If you believe a friend or loved one is struggling with taking their medications properly, or misusing them or other substances, please don’t wait until one of our presentations to find out more.  You can contact me at CCWC and I will help you and your senior get the help they need. 

 

SRC: Is there anything you would like to add? 

LC: I’m excited about SFHC!  The presentations we’ve done so far have been opportunities for great conversations and connections.  I’d also like to say that the Medication Toolkit is “a small bag with big information.”  Please let me know if you need more information or have questions about our prevention work! 

 

Thank you to Lisa for sharing information about this new program! Lisa can be reached online at LC[email protected] or by phone at (734) 971-9781, Ext. 453.