Opioid Crisis and the Aging Community

A new survey released by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) reveals an untold story about the nation’s opioid epidemic—how the crisis is eroding the quality of life of older adults and the ability of local organizations to serve them.

NCOA surveyed more than 200 community-based organizations in the aging network from 40 states and Puerto Rico. Among respondents, 70% reported increasing efforts addressing issues related to the opioid epidemic affecting their older adult clients or their caregivers compared to two years ago. Despite this increase, only 28% of respondents said they routinely screen for substance misuse and abuse among the older adults they serve.