Implementation of an Educational Curriculum on Care of Older Adults with Opioid Use Disorder in Long-Term Care

Research shows an increase of older adults with opioid use disorder (OUD) and in treatment for substance use disorder.1 Due to complex medical needs/functional impairments, they often require continued post-hospital care in a skilled nursing facility (SNF). A prior needs assessment identified the topic of older adults with OUD as a knowledge gap for staff in SNFs, and a barrier to providing care to this population. An educational in-service program was developed to address this critical need.