Preventing harm from alcohol and other drugs among older adults

Are you an allied health professional working with older adults?

As trusted healthcare providers, allied health professionals play a crucial role in supporting older adults and are well-positioned to identify and support those at risk of alcohol-related harm.

Alcohol is one of Australia’s most widely used drugs, with Australian adults aged over 50 consuming alcohol more regularly than any other age group. In addition to drinking more frequently, older adults are at greater risk of harm from alcohol due to physiological differences in how older adults metabolise alcohol and the presence of other co-morbidities.

Injury Matters, in collaboration with Professor Robert Ali and Professor Steve Allsop, are delivering these FREE workshops to equip allied health professionals in the Perth Metropolitan area with the knowledge and skills to effectively identify and address alcohol and other drug (AoD) risks in their older adult clients/patients. These in-person workshops will focus on the application of the ASSIST-Lite (Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test) and how to effectively utilise the tool with older adults. The ASSIST-Lite is a world-renowned evidence-based tool that supports a comprehensive approach to identifying and supporting individuals at risk of harm from alcohol and other drugs.

It is vital that older adults at heightened risk of alcohol and other drug use are supported to access specialised support and therefore this workshop will provide information and resources to support allied health professionals to ensure that older adults are empowered to access the support that they need.

Perth Southern workshops:
• Thursday 13th February 2025, 9:00am -12:30pm, and
• Thursday 20th February 2025, 9:00am – 12:30pm.

Please note that you are required to attend both half-day sessions to complete the training.

Following the two half day workshops participants will:
• Recognise their role in identifying older adults at risk of alcohol and other drug harm and the importance of referring them to appropriate services.
• Have an increased knowledge about the significance of conducting AoD screenings using the ASSIST-Lite tool.
• Be skilled in applying the ASSIST-Lite screening tool effectively with older adults.
• Have an increased confidence to conduct AoD screenings.
• Be confident to make referrals to local support services when necessary.

Presenter profiles:
Professor Robert Ali
Associate Professor Robert Ali AO MBBS FAFPHM FAChAM is one of Australia’s leading alcohol and other drug clinician-researchers. Dr. Ali has extensive knowledge of the ASSIST-lite tool and is very experienced in training health professionals on how to use it.

Professor Steve Allsop
Professor Allsop has a strong background in workforce development having been director of Clinical Education in two state government AoD services and as Director of a National workforce development centre of excellence. He has also worked on projects focusing on alcohol and the ageing population, notably supervising an influential PhD in this domain.

Register Here 

Complimentary refreshments and afternoon tea are provided for both workshops.

By attending these workshops you can play a vital role in reducing the risk of harm to older adults.

If this location and/or dates do not meet your availability, additional metropolitan workshops are also available. For more information click here.

These workshops are delivered by Injury Matters, thanks to funding provided by Healthway.