More than half of adults are more concerned about their parents potentially misusing prescription drugs than their children, according to an online survey commissioned by WellCare Health Plans.
The survey — conducted from Feb. 20-26 — included responses from more than 1,000 adults between the ages of 30 and 55 with a child over the age of 13 and at least one living parent.
Fifty-one percent of respondents said they were more concerned about their parents misusing prescription medications than their children. Additionally, 75 percent of respondents said they may be unable to recognize signs of substance misuse in their parents, and 28 percent said they don't feel comfortable talking to their parents about prescription drug use.
"The number of older Americans with substance use disorder is expected to rise from 2.8 million between 2002 and 2006 to 5.7 million by 2020, a situation for which adult children clearly are not prepared or well-equipped to handle," said Michael Polen, executive vice president of Medicare and operations at WellCare. "While the sandwich generation understandably tends to focus on speaking with their teen children about the risks of substance abuse, it's apparent that it's equally important to have these conversations with parents, as well."
To read the complete survey, click here.
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