Delivering Age-Friendly Care for Older Adults in Opioid Treatment Programs

Learn more about this topic. Download the companion toolkit and register for the follow-up live workshop at https://amersa.org/project/episode-1-delivering-age-friendly-care-for-older-adults-in-opioid-treatment-programs/.Older adults are one of the fastest-growing populations in opioid treatment programs, yet most programs were not designed to address the realities of aging—multimorbidity, mobility limitations, cognitive changes, and social isolation. This episode explores how opioid use disorder treatment must evolve to better support older adults and address fragmented care. Listeners will learn how to apply the geriatric 5Ms framework—What Matters Most, Medication, Mentation, Mobility, and Multicomplexity— in opioid treatment program settings, strengthen cross-system collaboration, and implement practical strategies that promote safety, dignity, and person-centered care. This episode addresses critical gaps in integrating geriatric principles into addiction treatment practice.Timestamps:[00:00:41] Episode framing: older adults are the fastest-growing population in opioid treatment programs[00:01:08] Why treatment must evolve for ageing-related needs, fragmented care, and age-insensitive systems[00:03:06] Learning objectives: challenges, the 5Ms framework, and practical age-friendly care strategies[00:04:11] Why older adults in OTPs are increasing, including Medicare coverage and accelerated ageing with OUD[00:05:08] Kathy on the realities of caring for older adults, especially mobility and inaccessible clinic spaces[00:07:34] Zoe on retention, treatment access barriers, and the strain of co-occurring conditions like cancer and dialysis[00:09:16] Care transitions emerge as a major risk point, especially hospital to skilled nursing to home[00:15:19] Introduction to the geriatric 5Ms: Mobility, Mentation, Medications, Multicomplexity, and What Matters Most[00:23:11] Practical solutions for mobility barriers: medical exceptions, family support, visiting nurses, and dosing flexibility[00:42:28] Closing takeaways: logistical barriers, integrated care, and using age-friendly strategies in OTP settingsLinksAMERSAFind us online at amersa.org/amersa-podcast Frontiers in Substance Use & Stigma & Substance Use are sponsored by Provider’s Clinical Support System – Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (PCSS-MOUD). Learn more about PCSS-MOUD at pcssnow.org.Funding for this initiative was made possible by cooperative agreement no. 1H79TI086770 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.Substance Use Across the Lifespan and Innovation in Action are sponsored by the Opioid Response Network (ORN). Learn more about ORN at opioidresponsenetwork.org.Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI088037 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.