Opioid Addiction Can Strike Seniors, Too, Pottstown Program Warns

POTTSTOWN, PA — Opioid addiction can strike any gender, any background, and, as a new public program hopes to get across, any age.

“A Senior’s Story of Opioid Addiction, Recovery, and Hope” aims to educate and warn the senior community of Montgomery County of the dangers of addiction, and to provide support and hope for anyone undergoing issues.

Don Tollefson, a former Philadelphia sportscaster, will be the keynote speaker at the event, which will take place three times.

"Older adults are often more susceptible because they are prescribed opioids due to painful chronic conditions, such as arthritis, or after procedures such as surgery," organizers said in describing the event. "As a result of chronic pain, older adults are often prescribed opioids for a longer time period, which can put them at risk for an opioid use disorder."

Medical experts will also be on hand to discuss alternative pain management plans outside of opioids.

The first event is on Oct. 29 at the Einstein Medical Center Montgomery in Norristown, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. A free box lunch is provided to attendees.

A second event is scheduled on Nov. 6 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Peter Becker Community Arbor Conference Center in Harleysville. While there is no boxed lunch, the event will feature light refreshments. Call 215-703-4011 to register.

The final event is set for Nov. 7 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Tri-County Active Adult Center in Pottstown. There will be light refreshments at this event as well. Call 610-278-4114 to register.

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Senior Services is organizing the program.