Dueling Priorities: Opioids in the Shadow of COVID-19
This FREE webinar series co-hosted by the FLGEC and the Western New York Rural Area Health Education Center (WNY R-AHEC) will introduce participants to the evolving trends leading to the current opioid crisis in the United States and how the population of older adults are impacted.
What Is Really in the Medicine Cabinet? The Unspoken Impact of Prescribing Opioids to Older Adults
Presenter: Tisha M. Smith Ed.D, MSPP, Addiction Services Director, Monroe County Department of Public Health
Date: Friday January 22, 2021
This will be a discussion about the trends and fallout related to prescribing opioids in this country and why people are being prescribed the medications. We will also explore some of the unintended consequences of prescribing opioids. We will also discuss local resources for help with opioid addiction in Monroe County.
Unknotting Stigma
Presenter: Erin Pownall Burns, BS, Enthusiast and Coach, Certified Peer Recovery Advocate
Date: Friday February 26, 2021
This session will highlight the impact of stigma on those who live with an addiction including the negative impact on health outcomes. Case examples will help participants conceptualize stigma in a tangible way.
Domestic Violence: An Epidemic Within a Pandemic
Presenter: Lisa Nolan, Director of Prevention Education, Willow Domestic Violence Center
Date: Tuesday March 9, 2021
Domestic and intimate partner violence is a complex and wide reaching issue which impacts everyone in our communities. Survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence face barriers throughout the community and within the systems we work. It is critical for providers to understand what domestic and intimate partner violence actually looks like and the unique challenges facing survivors. Providers will learn how to identify some red flags, resources available to survivors and how to support someone through their journey.
Challenges Facing Older Adults Due to the Opioid Epidemic
Presenters: M. Ann Olin, MA, CRC, CASAC, CCM, Program Manager, Geriatric Addictions Program, Lifespan of Greater Rochester
Date: Wednesday April 21, 2021
Older adults are facing many challenges due to the opioid epidemic, from their own addiction, to their adult children’s addiction, to not being prescribed medications when most needed. We will discuss these challenges and provide and overview of Lifespan’s Geriatric Addictions Program. We will also hear from an older adult about their experience with opioids and their journey to recovery.
Opioid Overdose Prevention – Narcan Training
Presenter: Charlotte Crawford, RN, MSN, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, Lake Plains Community Care Network
Date: Tuesday June 8, 2021
The opioid epidemic continues to exist, stressing the importance of early recognition of an individual experiencing an overdose. Now more than ever the importance of having Narcan readily available and the knowledge on the use of Narcan can and will save lives. Understanding how the Good Samaritan Law will impact those administering the medication will alleviate the fear in providing care. Understanding the importance in call 911 for all overdoses, as this is frequently the individual’s first introduction to potential care for their substance use disorder. Reporting the use of Narcan will provide important data to the State, which in turn can turn into increased funding to address this issue.
These projects are sponsored by the Finger Lakes Geriatric Education Center funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) under the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program # U1QHP28738. This information or content and conclusions are those of the authors/speakers and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, DHHS, or the U.S. Government.
