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The Older Adults Preventing Harm from Alcohol and Other Drugs Health Promotion Pilot Program for Allied Health Professionals aims to increase the knowledge, skills and confidence of Allied Health Professionals to identify older adults (aged 45 and over) at risk of alcohol and other drug use via the ASSIST-Lite screening tool.
This project is possible thanks to funding provided by Healthway.
A significant proportion of older Australians drink at risky levels, with adults over 50 drinking more regularly than any other age group. Older adults are more vulnerable to the effects of alcohol and other drugs (including medications), due to physiological differences and co-morbidities. Co-morbidities also mean that older adults are more likely to take multiple medications as they age. Download the resource below to learn more about the impact of alcohol consumption on older adults.
Given these impacts and Western Australia’s ageing population, additional activities are needed to reduce the harm from older and other drugs among older adults.
Allied health professionals are well positioned to identify, refer and support older adults who are at risk of harm from alcohol and other drugs.
The ASSIST-Lite (Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Test) is a proven, evidence-based resource. By utilising this older adult specific screening tool, allied health professionals can take a comprehensive approach to screening and work towards the goal of reducing the risk of alcohol and other drug-related harm among older adults.
Visit the ASSIST portal to learn more about the ASSIST screening process and to access a range of resources and online learning modules.
In February 2025 Injury Matters delivered four workshops to provide health professionals with an overview of substance use disorders, the foundations of screening and brief intervention, how to administer the ASSIST-Lite with older adults and how to respond to the scores.
Evaluation results from these workshops support their importance.
If you are interested in participating in future workshops regarding the ASSIST-Lite tool please express your interest below.