Page 23 - Jewish News_February 2020

JEWISH INTEREST February 2020 23A

A Pulitzer-worthy investigation of escaped war criminals Aging Jewishly – What our traditions teach us about growing old

A dangerous combination: Drug abuse and older adults

neighbor of Lucyna
and Feliks, whose saga By Rabbi Barbara Aiello
fills the beginning of t was touch and go but Sam sur- Xanax or Valium to help them sleep or of drug abuse among the elderly and when an addicted parent’s behavior is
the book. Toward the vived open heart surgery. Although quell anxiety become hooked.” Oz and notes that apart from The New Jewish manipulative, erratic or abusive. Our
end, we discover that Ihe had just turned 83, Sam was re- Roizen claim that these percentages Home program, there are only two oth- Jewish traditions teach us to honor our
the couple married in the covering well, and his sons Jake and translate into an even more shocking er in-house elderly addiction recovery parents, but as one Aish Rabbi empha-
Warsaw Ghetto, lived Zack were grate- statistic: more than two million seniors programs (Florida and Mississippi) in sized, “That does not require honoring
through hell, made it to ful and relieved. are addicted to prescription drugs. the entire United States. the sickness in them.”
the U.S., raised a family, As they left the Senior abuse of alcohol and prescrip- Which begs the question: What Where substance abuse is con-
enjoyed grandchildren hospital, Zack tion medications is one of the fastest can be done? If our aging mother or cerned, the aging senior is suffering
and realized most – if not reminded Sam growing health problems in the United father seems to be self-medicating with from a disease – often hidden and
all – of their dreams. that they’d have States. a strong opioid, or if an elderly person unacknowledged. But if statistics are
Passionate, provocative and art- to make a stop. Add ethnic issues into the mix realizes that he is drug dependent, even moderately accurate, it’s a seri-
fully constructed, this fully engaging “You only have and professionals find that drug abuse where can they turn for help? ous disease that needs understanding,
work of deeply humanized scholarship enough pain pills among Jewish seniors is of particular Drs. Oz and Roizen suggest that attention and prompt intervention.
is a fine addition to the literature of the for three days,” concern. The New Jewish Home in a visit to a general physician is an im- For 10 years Rabbi Barbara Aiello
Holocaust and its aftermath. It could Rabbi Barbara Aiello Zack said. “We New York City reports that “There is portant first step, but even more impor- served the Aviva Campus for Senior
very well bring Debbie Cenziper her need to fill the prescription so you’ll a pervasive myth that addiction is not tant, seniors and their family members Life as resident rabbi. She is rabbi of
second Pulitzer. have pills for the next two weeks.” a Jewish issue… The myth that Jews should emphasize to their doctor that the Reconstructionist synagogue, Ner
Debbie Cenziper is an investiga- “No way,” Sam bellowed. “I’m not are somehow protected from addiction the problem is serious. They should Tamid del Sud in south Italy, and serves
tive journalist, professor and author taking that stuff. I know what happens. reinforces shame and isolation and can press for referrals to psychologists, ad- as visiting rabbi in Rhodes, in the old-
based in Washington, D.C. A contribut- You want more and more. Listen, kids. inhibit Jewish seniors from seeking diction specialists and support groups est synagogue in Greece. Contact her
ing reporter for the investigative team If I’m hurting, I’ll take some aspirin. needed help.” that are designed especially for older at Rabbi@RabbiBarbara.com.
at The Washington Post, she has won That way I won’t get hooked and turn For this reason, The New Jewish adults, and choose a program that of-
many major awards in print journal- into a drug addict!” Home sprang into action, creating the fers psychological maintenance and Andrea Verier
ism, including the 2007 Pulitzer Prize. Jake and Zack rolled their eyes, Geriatric Substance Abuse Recovery relapse prevention. Above all, seniors M.A., M.S., LMHC
Cenziper is the co-author of the criti- shook their heads, passed the phar- Program. Launched just three years should be honest about how addiction
Nationally Board Certified,
cally acclaimed Love Wins: The Lovers macy and made for home. But both of ago, it is the first nursing home-based, is affecting their lives. Licensed Mental Health Counselor #4082
and Lawyers Who Fought the Land- Sam’s sons were confident that in time in-patient substance abuse program in Author Debra Jay discusses the
QUALITY
mark Case for Marriage Equality. She they could convince Dad to “take his the United States. The goal of the pro- doctor and elderly patient relation- PSYCHOTHERAPY
was recently named the Director of medicine.” gram is a straightforward one: trained ship in her book, Aging and Addiction.
Investigative Journalism at the North- Not so many years ago, Sam’s mental health professionals and ad- She writes that some physicians have Adults
western University Medill School of reluctance to take prescription pain diction specialists work with clients internalized the myth that either old Adolescents
Journalism. killers was seen as an overreaction. Af- “to ensure that Jewish individuals and people do not have drug problems, or Individuals
This review first appeared in Wash- ter all, drug addicts, according to the their families who are impacted by ad- that when they do, it’s just too late to Couples
ington Independent Review of Books stereotype, were street people, ne’er- diction find support within the Jewish address addiction in any meaningful Families
and is reprinted by permission. do-wells and criminals. Seniors who community and receive education and way. Jay goes on to say that, “Even
Philip K. Jason is Professor Emeritus needed pain medication were in no dan- a safe space to receive support.” if a doctor approaches the issue, the MEANINGFUL COUNSELING FOR:
of English from the United States Na- ger of joining that group. Maybe so, but Recently, similar programs have older adult may simply switch doctors • Life Transitions
val Academy. He reviews regularly for Sam’s sentiment wasn’t so far off. surfaced, each one emphasizing that, or deny a problem exists.” The author • Relationships Helping You
Florida Weekly, Washington Indepen- According to Drs. Mehmet Oz and just as young children and adolescents points out that, “It is usually the adult • Anxiety Unfold
dent Review of Books, Southern Lit- Mike Roizen, “The United States has have psychological needs specific to children who decide to take action and • Depression Your True Self
• Trauma
erary Review, other publications and 4.6% of the world’s population, but their age and stage, the same holds true help motivate an older parent to accept
the Jewish Book Council. Please visit consumes 80% of the world’s opioids, for drug-addicted seniors. Writing in treatment, through either informal or 1217 S. East Avenue, Suite 209 • Sarasota, FL
Phil’s website at www.philjason.word (while) a recent study found 25% of the Pacific Standard, journalist Chel- formal intervention.” 941.315.8797 • AVerierLMHC@gmail.com
press.com. older Americans who are prescribed sea Carmona highlights the dangers Easier said than done, especially CounselingServicesSarasota.com

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