Attorney General Bob McDonnell today presented a $30,116.94 grant to SeniorNavigator, a statewide non-profit organization that connects seniors with health and aging services in the Commonwealth. The group will use the funds to help educate Virginia seniors vulnerable to prescription drug abuse.
The grant funds result from recent prescription drug settlements secured by the Virginia Office of the Attorney General, working with other Attorneys General nationwide. SeniorNavigator will use the funds to combat prescription drug abuse and addiction among Virginia’s seniors through outreach, education and improved communications.
SeniorNavigator developed and manages the online resource www.SeniorNavigator.org. Since its launch in February 2001, SeniorNavigator.org has served as a resource with a comprehensive network of community-based centers across Virginia. The Web site combines online assistance with help through its network of SeniorNavigator Centers, including hospitals, libraries, sheriff’s offices, Agencies on Aging, senior centers and faith-based organizations. U.S. Sen. Mark Warner and the Virginia Health Care Foundation created SeniorNavigator. Warner served as Founding Chairman before his election as Governor.
“Older adults are vulnerable to the complex problem of prescription drug abuse and addiction – a problem that has gone largely undetected,” Attorney General McDonnell said. “The human toll on seniors and their families requires proactive steps to educate seniors and caregivers. Important prevention measures can reduce the risks associated with prescription medication to avoid unintentional addiction.”
“We applaud Attorney General McDonnell for his understanding of the scope of the problem, and the factors that can lead to this largely unintentional, yet life-threatening addictive situation,” said Katie Roeper, executive director of SeniorNavigator. “Attorney General McDonnell clearly is committed to helping seniors and caregivers.”
Linda Nablo, Commissioner of the Virginia Department for the Aging, said, “A growing number of seniors are cared for by family members, so it is imperative to include caregivers and families in educational and outreach efforts. This initiative takes a comprehensive approach through an awareness campaign aimed at seniors, their families, caregivers, and professionals.”
The funds for this grant were recovered from legal settlements reached by the Office of the Attorney General in 2008 with Caremark Rx, L.L.C., and Express Scripts Inc., two pharmacy benefits management companies. The settlements involved claims that these companies engaged in deceptive business practices by encouraging doctors to switch patients to different brand name prescription drugs and representing that the patients and/or health plans would save money.
