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Abstract

. Abstract ▼ Addiction at an advanced age is a relevant and frequent topic concerning in-patient geriatric welfare which is still neglected to a certain ex-tent. Nursing problems relating to alcohol- and benzodiazepine-dependence as well as misuse are various and complex. Often, not only rela-tives are in fl uenced by the addiction, but also continuously su ff er from di ff erent nursing, social and psychological problems. On many occasions, the addiction of the a ff ected persons is not re-cognized. Thus, in consequence, no relief mea-sures are initiated. Therefore, the nursing routi-ne with elderly addicts on a day-to-day basis is frequently marked by excessive demands, lack of knowledge and shortage of practically orien-ted concepts. These excessive demands are often expressed by unnecessary corrections, contemp-tuousness and regimentations. So far, the aca-demic literature only provides a few indications concerning nursing and care of elderly addicts; the regulations with respect to addiction used in psychiatric care cannot be transferred. Even though not only general recommendations for nursing support exist, but there are also detailed means including Motivational Interviewing, Change Talk, ethical case discussion and various other strategies, which positively facilitate the care and support of the respective persons, with-out overruling them.