[Health, Medical and Psychosocial Care Needs of Older Drug Addicts (40+): A Cross Sectional Study].
BACKGROUND
We aimed 1) to assess health, health-related quality of life and social care needs of substance-abusing individuals aged 40+ and 2) to investigate associations between health and psychosocial care needs.


METHODS
We estimated the size of the population by using capture-recapture methods. Based on this sample size estimation, we conducted a cross-sectional survey with socio-demographic data, using standardized instruments including the SF-36 (36 items), a measure of physical disorders (14 items), social support, and psychosocial and health care needs and substance abuse ("European Addiction Severity Index").


RESULTS
37 persons participated in this study (30% women), 89% reported at least one disorder. The general health perceptions (p=0.011), vitality (p<0.001), social functioning (p<0.001), mental health (p<0.001) and physical health dimension (p=0.007) and mental health dimension (p<0.001) were significantly lower in this sample than in the German normal population (51-60 years). 54% reported having support needs.


CONCLUSIONS
Health-related quality of life and social functioning are major problems for older substance-abusing individuals. There is a great need to have specific healthcare concepts to respond to the medical and psychosocial care needs of this group of individuals.
Soziale Arbeit und Gesundheit, Hochschule Emden-Leer, Emden.
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A
Wehrwein
Dienste für ältere Menschen, Evangelische Gesellschaft Stuttgart e.V., Stuttgart.
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G
Schröder
Soziale Arbeit und Gesundheit, Hochschule Emden-Leer, Emden.
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J
Lindert
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055030:Drug Users / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications; D008603:Mental Health; D011788:Quality of Life