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Elder intervention services are provided by the Florida BRITE (Brief Intervention, and Treatment) Project. This program is a statewide pilot research study that provides intervention services for adults 55 and older in Pinellas County who might be at high risk of medication misuse and/or alcohol abuse. The program focuses on a single behavioral objective, and is designed to convince clients that they are involved in risky or harmful levels of drinking or medication abuse that will impair their health. This program provides individualized in-home screening, assessment and intervention through education, advice, short-term problem resolution, advocacy, referral and follow-up.
Where is the BRITE pilot program offered and who can I contact?
Gulf Coast Community Care
Dorothy Chambers, Program Manager
(727) 479-1800 ext 3024
Broward County Elderly & Veterans Services
Raul Gordillo, Substance Abuse Supervisor
(954) 537-2805
Coastal Behavioral Health Care
David Clapp, Geriatric Therapeutic Services Coord.
(941) 308-2242 ext 103
The Center for Drug Free Living Inc.
Victoria Adams, Health Educator
(407) 245-0010
Who do I contact for more information?
DCF Substance Abuse Program Office
Vance Burns
(850) 921-8495
email: vance_burns@dcf.state.fl.us
Florida Mental Health Institute
Larry Schonfeld, Ph.D.
(813) 974-1946
email: schonfeld@fmhi.usf.edu
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Services provided by BRITE include:
Screening and services provided are based upon the recommendations published in SAMHSA’s Treatment Improvement Protocol #26: “Substance Abuse Among Older Adults.” BRITE clients are referred by community agencies that serve older adults. BRITE services include screening, brief interventions, brief treatment, & referral. Services can be conducted in older adults’ homes, senior centers, assisted living facilities, and any other setting preferred by the client. Most clients receive Brief Intervention involving 1 to 5 sessions guided by the BRITE Health Promotion Workbook written by nationally recognized expert, Dr. Kristen Lawton Barry of the University of Michigan. Clients requiring more intensive services may be offered Brief Treatment based on a 16-session curriculum published by SAMHSA (authored by FMHI faculty members Dupree & Schonfeld). This curriculum teaches older adults to recognize high risk situations for substance use and the skills necessary to prevent relapse.
Who does BRITE serve?
BRITE serves people ages 55 and older at risk for, or demonstrating problems with: alcohol, prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, illicit drugs, depression, and/or suicide risk. Priorities are low-income, minority, and/or isolated elders. BRITE is currently offered in Broward, Orange, Pinellas, and Sarasota counties.
What are the characteristics of the people receiving BRITE services?
The average age is 76. More than half live alone and many are women. More than 20% are older minorities. Most (76%) are referred for depression and nearly one third screening positive for moderate to severe depression. While only 10% are referred for drinking problems, about 23% screen positive for alcohol abuse. About 10% of referrals have problems related to medications. About 14% have contemplated suicide at some time, with about one-fourth in the past year. All clients are re-assessed on a periodic basis; program evaluation is currently underway.
How has BRITE improved on the existing state service system?
In 2004-2005, 1191 older adults were served by BRITE. Since 2001-2002, there has been a 31% increase in the number of older adults that DCF has served within the traditional state system. In 2004-2005, DCF served 2053 older adults in need. When the BRITE service numbers are added to the 2004-2005 DCFSA service totals reported above, this represents a 107% increase since 2001-2002.
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