Why SUDS Outpatient Involves This Service
Older adults may require specialized review of cognition, falls, polypharmacy, organ function, withdrawal risk, and caregiver or functional context.
Common Involvement Triggers
Cognitive change, recurrent falls, complex polypharmacy, frailty, diagnostic uncertainty, late-life psychiatric symptoms, or treatment tolerability concerns.
Shared-Care Responsibilities
Clarify geriatric, SUDS, primary-care, pharmacy, nursing, caregiver, and safety responsibilities, including who owns medication changes.
Handoff Essentials
Provide substance pattern, medication burden, cognition and function, falls, medical risks, supports, safety status, and the focused consultation need.
Continuity and Return Plan
Reconcile recommendations with SUD goals and ensure monitoring, caregiver communication, and follow-up ownership remain explicit.
Operational Boundary
Confirm current eligibility, capacity, consult names, schedules, contacts, and transfer procedures in approved VA systems.