Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol: Support for Older Adults

As you age, life changes can impact your mental health and lead to or worsen drug, or alcohol issues. There are many ways to support yourself or a loved one experiencing difficulties with their mental health, drug, or alcohol issues, no matter what their age.

Take care of your health

Changes to your physical health can impact your mental health and lead to substance misuse. Talk with a doctor about your mental health, drug, or alcohol issues just as you would about physical health issues.

• Use these tips to help talk with your doctor about your mental health
• Know what questions to ask your doctor about drug or alcohol use
• Learn to protect your health as you age

Even if you’ve lived with these issues your whole life, it’s always a good time to get support.

• 988 offers 24/7 judgment-free support for mental health, substance use, and more. Text, call, or chat 988. Access for Deaf/HoH and Spanish speakers.
• SAMHSA National Helpline is a free service that can help you find treatment options near you for mental health, drug, or alcohol issues. It is open every day, all day. They can help you in English or Spanish.
• FindTreatment.gov lets you search for health care providers near you that treat mental health, drug, and alcohol issues and is available in English and Spanish.
• VA Mental Health Services has help for Veterans. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA health care.

Get help if you’re grieving

If you have experienced the loss of a loved one, there is help to support you in managing your grief.

If you’ve experienced a traumatic event or disaster, find ways to cope.

Paying for treatment

Paying for treatment is a common concern, especially if you’re on a budget. But there are programs to help.

• Find a provider that accepts Medicare
• Know what treatments your health insurance covers
• Get one-on-one help understanding Medicare costs and coverage
• Find free or low-cost treatment and support

Getting to appointments

If you need a way to get to your appointments, there are programs that can help.

• Use the Eldercare Locator to learn about transportation services.
• Some Medicare plans, like Special Needs Plans, can help you get to treatment.
• Ask your mental health or drugs and alcohol use services provider if they are part of an Accountable Care Organization, which may offer free transportation to some people who use Medicare.
• If you’re a part of your state’s Medicaid program, learn about your transportation benefits (PDF | 1 MB).
• The Veterans Transportation Program can give you free rides to VA health care centers. You can find a list of centers that offer this service.

Get legal help if you’re experiencing abuse

Call the police or 911 if you or someone you know is in immediate danger.

If the danger is not immediate, but you are experiencing abuse or think someone may become abusive, please tell someone.

• Reach out to your local adult protective services
• If you’re a resident of a nursing homes, assisted living facility, board and care home, or similar adult care homes, you can reach out to your local Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
• Or call your local police.

The Eldercare Locator can also assist you in finding access to free legal help for people over age 60.

More Support

Learn more ways the government can help you at Benefits.gov.

Contact your local No Wrong Door System. A No Wrong Door System provides a coordinated way for people to access services in the community so that you only have to tell your story once.

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