Objectives:To describe the important aspects of the Lifestyle Enrichment for Senior Adults (LESA) program from the clients’ perspective and why these aspects were important to them. Methods:The study used a participatory approach. Researchers collaborated with counselors and clients to develop an evaluation that (a) respected the experiences and knowledge of people in the program and (b) provided an accurate assessment of the important aspects of the program from the clients’ perspective. One-to-one interviews were conducted with 52 clients. Results:Clients’ relationships with counselors, the positive emotions experienced during individual and group counseling, and the program’s flexibility were of key importance. Allowing clients to choose their level of involvement and the general acceptance of drinkers also contributed to perceived benefits of the program. Discussion:The benefits of client-centered addictions therapywarrant closer examination. Senior adults’motivation for behavior change may be highly sensitive to the relational aspects of the treatment approach.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Atkinson, R. M. , Ganzini, L.,& Bernstein, M. J. (1992). Alcohol and substance-use disorders in the elderly. In J. E. Birren,R. B. Sloane,& G. D. Cohen (Eds.), Handbook of mental health and aging(2nd ed., pp. 515-555). San Diego: Academic Press.
2.
Bergin, B. , & Baron, J. (1992). LESA: A program of lifestyle enrichment for senior adults with alcohol and other psychoactive drug problems. Ottawa, Canada: Centretown Community Health Centre.
3.
Brown, B. B. ,& Chiang, C. P. (1983-1984). Drug and alcohol abuse among the elderly: Is being alone the key?International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 18, 1-12.
4.
Gaskins, S. , & Forté, L. (1995). The meaning of hope: Implications for nursing practice and research. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 21, 17-24.
5.
Graham, K. , Brett, P. J.,& Baron, J. (1997). A harm-reduction approach to treating older adults: The clients speak. In P. G. Erickson, D. M. Riley, Y. W. Cheung,& P. A. O’Hare (Eds.), Harm reduction: A new direction for drug policies and programs(pp. 429-452). Ontario, Canada: University of Toronto Press.
6.
Graham, K. , Saunders, S. J., & Flower, M. (1990). Approaches and agenda of researchers or evaluators versus those of community developers: Perspectives of the program developer, the program manager, and the program evaluator. In N. Giesbrecht, R. W. Conley, R. W. Denniston, L. Gliksman, H. Holder, A. Pederson, R. Room, & M. Shain (Eds.), Research, action and the community: Experiences in the prevention of alcohol and other drug problems (pp. 196-212). Rockville, MD: Office for Substance Abuse Prevention.
7.
Graham, K. , Saunders, S. J., Flower, M. C., Birchmore Timney, C., White-Campbell, M., & Zeidman Pietropaolo, A. (1995). Addictions treatment for older adults: Evaluation of an innovative client-centered approach. New York: Haworth.
8.
Hinrichsen, J. J. (1984). Toward improving treatment services for alcoholics of advanced age. Alcohol Health and Research World, 8, 31-39.
9.
Institute of Medicine . (1990). Determining outcome. In Broadening the base of treatment for alcohol problems(pp. 313-328). Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
10.
Janik, S. W. , & Dunham, R. G. (1983). A nationwide examination of the need for specific alcoholism treatment programs for the elderly. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 44, 307-317.
11.
Kashner, T. M. , Rodell, D., Ogden, S., Guggenheim, F., & Karson, C. (1992). Outcomes and costs of two VA inpatient treatment programs for older alcoholic patients. Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 43, 985-989.
12.
King, J. (1995). Bringing research to life through action-research methods. Canadian Journal on Aging, 14(Suppl. 1), 165-176.
13.
Kofoed, L. L. , Tolson, R. L., Atkinson, R. M., Toth, R. L.,& Turner, J. A. (1987). Treatment compliance of older alcoholics: An elder-specific approach is superior to “mainstreaming.”Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 48, 47-51.
14.
Linn, M. W. (1978). Attrition of older alcoholics from treatment. Addictive Diseases: An International Journal, 3, 437-447.
15.
Miller, W. R. , & Hester, R. K. (1980). Treating the problem drinker: Modern approaches. In W. R. Miller (Ed.), The addictive behaviors. Treatment of alcoholism, drug abuse, smoking and obesity(pp. 11-141). Elmsford, NY: Pergamon.
16.
Moos, R. , Mertens, J., & Brennan, P. (1993). Patterns of diagnosis and treatment among late middle aged and older substance abuse patients. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 54, 479-487.
17.
Patton, M. Q. (1990). Qualitative evaluation and research methods(2nd ed.). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
18.
Saunders, S. J. , Graham, K., Flower, M.,& White-Campbell, M. (1992). The COPA project as a model for the management of early dementia in the community. In G. M. M. Jones& B. M. L. Miesen (Eds.), Care-giving in dementia: Research and applications(pp. 324-356). New York: Tavistock.
19.
Schonfeld, L. , & Dupree, L. W. (1990). Older problem drinkers—Long-term and late-life onset abusers: What triggers their drinking?Aging, 361, 5-8.
20.
Schonfeld, L. ,& Dupree, L. W. (1995). Treatment approaches for older problem drinkers. International Journal of the Addictions, 30, 1819-1842.
21.
Wiens, A. N. , Menustik, C. E., Miller, S. I., & Schmitz, R. E. (1982-1983). Medical-behavioral treatment of the older alcoholic patient. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 9, 461-475.
22.
Zimberg, S. (1978). Diagnosis and treatment of the elderly alcoholic. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 2, 27-29.
