Addiction and Older Adults - February 2020

Addiction and Older Adults
February 18 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: St. Joseph Mercy Michigan Heart and Vascular Institute auditorium, 5325 Elliott Drive, Ypsilanti Michigan 48197. Park in parking area “M”.
Older adults are the fastest growing population in the US. Substance addiction affects this population in a unique way. It’s important to consider the intersection of older adults, their medical care providers, and how value systems can play into addiction. The unique nature of how addiction affects older adults, myths and facts, and available local resources will be discussed.
About the presenters:
Matthew Cremin, LLMSW; Foreclosure Prevention Coordinator, Housing Bureau for Seniors.
Matthew is a new graduate from Eastern Michigan University with a Master’s in Social Work where he specialized in services to the aging. After working at Dawn Farm for almost 7 years, he realized the importance of how older adults fit into the field of addiction. Matthew now works at Michigan Medicine at the Housing Bureau for Seniors and has carried his passion for addiction and older adults with him.
Charles E. Coleman LLMSW; Primary Therapist, Dawn Farm Downtown
Charles Coleman is a 2018 Master of Social Work (MSW) graduate of the University of Michigan. His interpersonal practice specialty area for his MSW was in Aging in Families and Society. Charles began his work with Dawn Farm in 2001, first as a volunteer transitional house manager with Dawn Farm’s Chapin Street project, and later and for several years as the Coordinator of Dawn Farm’s transitional housing program and the community liaison for Dawn Farm’s street outreach program. Since receiving his MSW, Charles has been employed as a primary therapist with the Dawn Farm Downtown residential facility. Charles has been involved with many community initiatives and functions, including currently serving as a member of the Washtenaw County Substance Advisory Council, a Regional Board Member of the Community Mental Health Partnership Southeast Michigan, and a council member of the Church of the Good Shepard in Ann Arbor. He has also previously served as a member of the Mayor Task Force to End Homelessness in Washtenaw County, a member of the Continuum of Care Board, a member of the University of Michigan A2C3 advisory committee, a facilitator of the Men of Color Motivational Group and a Deacon of the Full Truth Fellowship Church.