Get Ready for the Boom: Why Rehabilitation Professionals Should Expect to See More Older Adults with Addiction Related Disorders and what Needs to be Done to be Prepared to Serve them Well

Get Ready for the Boom: Why Rehabilitation Professionals Should Expect to See More Older Adults with Addiction Related Disorders and what Needs to be Done to be Prepared to Serve them Well

Due to the large number of individuals in the emerging cohort of older adults in the United States, known as the Baby Boom generation, rehabilitation professionals from all disciplines should expect to deal frequently with older individuals in the upcoming years; therefore, professionals in such fields should be equipped with the knowledge and skills to successfully care for the needs of this growing population. The purpose of this article is to outline some of the key differences between the current cohort of older adults and the emerging cohort of older adults in regards to their use of addictive substances and their willingness to seek help for addiction related issues. Additionally, the researchers outline some of the key issues and needed competencies for rehabilitation professionals to be able to provide quality services to this growing population of consumers.