AOD Prevention and Early Intervention for Ageing Queenslanders
Alcohol and other drug resources for community aged care
Everything from the training session in one place. Screen with the ASSIST-Lite for Older People, give brief advice in the home, and respond safely to opioid overdose. Every resource is free to download, print and use in your practice.
If an older person cannot be roused or their breathing has slowed, call 000 and ask for an ambulance, give naloxone if it is available, and stay with them until help arrives.
Screen and give brief advice
The ASSIST-Lite for Older People asks about tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, sedatives, opioids and stimulants over the past three months. The practice guide walks through each step of a home visit, from noticing clinical clues to documenting the plan.
ASSIST-Lite for Older People: form and feedback card
Fillable screening form with automatic scoring and risk levels, plus a client feedback card covering what each score means, standard drinks and possible harms by substance.
Open in Adobe Acrobat Reader to use automatic scoring. Web browsers, Preview on Mac and most phone viewers show the form but will not calculate scores. Get Acrobat Reader (free)
Home Visit Practice Guide
An eight-step clinical workflow: clinical clues, introducing the conversation, completing and scoring the ASSIST-Lite, brief advice using FRAMES, linking advice to the client’s goals, agreeing next steps and documentation.
Respond to opioid overdose
Older people taking prescribed opioids such as oxycodone, morphine, codeine, tramadol, fentanyl or buprenorphine patches can overdose, and the risk rises with age.
Opioid overdose in older people
What raises the risk, what overdose looks like, the DRSABCND response, how to give Nyxoid nasal spray and Prenoxad pre-filled syringe, and what to do afterwards. Resuscitation guidance follows ANZCOR.
Naloxone is free with no prescription needed from participating pharmacies, including for family members and services collecting it for someone else.
Work in a person-centred and culturally safe way
Cultural considerations
Discussing substance use with older people from diverse backgrounds, special considerations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, working with interpreters and support people, and suggested wording.
Language matters
A guide to person-centred, non-stigmatising language when working with people who use alcohol and other drugs, with suggested terms to use in place of common labels. Developed by the Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies (NADA) and NSW Users and AIDS Association (NUAA).
Advice and support
Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS)
1800 177 833
Free and confidential advice, 24 hours a day, for workers, families and older people.
Emergency
000
Call for an ambulance if someone cannot be roused, is breathing slowly or is not breathing.
Resources developed by Adelaide University. AOD Prevention and Early Intervention for Ageing Queenslanders is funded by the Queensland Government through the Queensland Mental Health Commission.
General information only, not medical advice. In an emergency, always call 000.