1. SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND THE ELDERLY Diana Givens M.S., LCADC

2. IN THE BEGINNING… 2005/2006 Volunteered at an assisted living facility: – Provided a weekly Grief & Loss support group for residents – conducted several in-house training seminars for staff Developed an interest in a career shift working directly with the elderly 2006 Started a second Master’s program in Gerontology at Towson University

3. LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE Starting Points LEI-Top Strengths Identified: 1) Integrity/Honesty 2) Resilience 3) Flexibility 4) Customer Service 5) Service Motivation LEI-Top Needs identified: 1) Team Building 2) Negotiation Skills 3) Vision 4) Creativity/Innovation 5) Strategic Thinking

4. LEADERSHIP PLAN PROGRAM GOAL Create and provide a one-hour presentation for healthcare staff in assisted and independent living communities to increase awareness of potential substance use/abuse with elderly residents.

5. PREPARATION Regular contact/consultation with mentor, Dr. Betsy McCaul, Dept. of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Conducted over 20 informational interviews with various assisted and independent living communities, nursing homes agencies that serve the elderly. Consulted with colleagues from the Maryland Gerontological Association and Mental Health and Aging Coalition.

6. PREPARATION (Continued) Participated in an intense training/ shadowing at an inpatient substance abuse treatment facility that specializes in substance abuse treatment for the elderly. Attended various training sessions specifically focused on medication use and the elderly. Visited and networked with local senior centers and participated in the Annual Senior Picnic by disseminating substance abuse information and answering substance abuse questions.

7. DIFFICULTIES Stigma associated with substance abuse among staff and residents in the facilities. Facilities receptive to training on other health topics, but less open to substance abuse topic, particularly as initial presentation. Virtually none of the facilities received training/in-service on substance abuse identification and/or treatment with residents, yet most readily discussed known cases.

8. SUCCESSES Collaborated with the Mental Health and Aging Coalition and the Geriatric Education Center (GEC) through Johns Hopkins to provide substance abuse education regarding the elderly to healthcare professionals during GEC’s annual training. Projected plan: work with the Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ) to offer COMAR-mandated training for nurse aids working in assisted living facilities. Goal: incorporate training on identification and prevention of substance use/abuse with the elderly into nursing aids’ annual training.

9. HOW DO THESE ACTIVITIES RELATE TO MY LEI NEEDS? VISION: Assessing needs and gaps in healthcare services regarding the elderly population and substance abuse. STRATEGIC THINKING: Develop an innovation way to plan and implement a new program concept with a new population. CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION: Thinking “out of the box” regarding my approach when initial strategy did not go as planned.

10. HOW DO THESE ACTIVITIES RELATE TO MY LEI NEEDS? (continued) NEGOTIATING SKILLS: Developing ways to approach and create buy-in with healthcare staff regarding the benefit of receiving this information. TEAM BUILDING: Collaborated with seasoned professionals in the field to tap into their expertise and create cohesive relationships and work as a team on a unified goal that would benefit the field on a broader level.

11. HOW DO THESE ACTIVITIES RELATE TO MY LEI STRENGTHS? Integrity/Honesty - A core trait that has served me well throughout my career. Never compromise! Resilience- The ability to bounce back and adapt to changing circumstances. Flexibility- The ability to adapt to a different population, landscape and approach, when needed. Customer Service - Ability to balance and adjust priorities to emerging customer needs. Service Motivation- Demonstrated commitment to quality public service through statements and actions.

12. SPECIAL THANKS GOES TO: Dr. Betsy McCaul MENTOR, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Nancy Rosenshine Trainer, Leadership Institute Kim Burton Director of Older Adult Programs, Mental Health Association of Maryland Sybil Greenhut Program Manager, DHHS Mental Health Services for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities-Montgomery County Juan Harris Program Manager- Center for Older Adults, Hanley Center Carol Colleran Executive Vice President of Public Policy and National Affairs, Hanley Center Dr. Pete Luongo Director, MD Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration