U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging Chairman Bob Casey (D-PA) recently held a hearing to address the growing crisis of substance use disorders (SUDs) among older adults. The hearing, titled "Understanding a Growing Crisis: Substance Use Trends Among Older Adults," aimed to shed light on the increasing rates of SUDs among this demographic, as well as the gaps in coverage and access to treatment and recovery.
During the hearing, Senator Casey emphasized the need for policy solutions to address this issue. He highlighted his FEND Off Fentanyl Act, which aims to crack down on chemical suppliers in China and Mexican cartels that produce and distribute fentanyl. Senator Casey also discussed his Maximizing Opioid Recovery Emergency (MORE) Savings Act, which seeks to eliminate cost-sharing for opioid treatment and recovery support services and increase funding for Medicaid programs.
Speaking at the hearing, Senator Casey stated, "Substance use disorders among older adults constitute a growing crisis nationwide as our aging population expands. Despite being more susceptible to developing substance use disorders, older Americans are often overlooked for typical screenings and prevention efforts. That cannot continue."
William Stauffer, the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Recovery Organizations—Alliance, was invited to testify at the hearing. He highlighted the need to acknowledge and address the issue of SUDs among older adults. Stauffer said, "We cannot solve problems we do not acknowledge... Our older adult family members, friends, and community members who have SUDs need us to do so far more often, and then to fix our systems to help them heal."
The hearing shed light on the urgent need to address substance use disorders among older adults. With nearly four million older adults over the age of 65 affected by SUDs, it is crucial to ensure that they have equal access to treatment and support. The gaps in coverage and limited research on this issue must be addressed to effectively combat the crisis. By implementing policies such as the FEND Off Fentanyl Act and the MORE Savings Act, progress can be made in providing better care and support for older adults struggling with substance use disorders.
The full video of the hearing can be viewed on the Senate Special Committee on Aging's website.
For additional details, please follow this link: https://www.aging.senate.gov/press-releases/casey-holds-hearing-on-substance-use-disorders-among-older-adults
