Berks County has been selected to participate in a pilot program designed to decrease overdose death rates among senior citizens.

It is one of only four counties chosen to take part in the Wellness Initiative for Senior Education, which targets communities with some of the highest rates of overdoses among those ages 55 and older in Pennsylvania.

Earlier this summer, the departments of Drug and Alcohol Programs and Aging announced the launch of the initiative using opioid settlement funds.

WISE is a national program that has been operating since 1996 to address the risks specific to older adults related to substance use. It covers a range of topics including stress management, strategies for healthy living, medication management, alcohol use disorder, the aging process and prescription drugs.

Department of Aging Secretary Jason Kavulich said that during the development of Pennsylvania’s 10-year strategic plan for aging he heard directly from older adults, caregivers and direct care workers about substance use challenges among older adults.

“We heard clearly from older adults that they need more accessible prevention, education and community-based supports tailored to their unique needs,” he said.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s most recent data, nearly 600 Pennsylvanians aged 55 and older died of an overdose — accounting for 18% of all overdoses in 2024.

Officials said risk factors for overdose or developing a substance use disorder in older adults include changes in metabolism, chronic physical health conditions and coping with loss.

State officials said they are partnering with the Berks County Council on Chemical Abuse and Berks County Area Agency on Aging to implement the program because the organizations are already in place to provide effective and accessible prevention.

How the program will work

The county will hold six weekly sessions each Thursday from Oct. 1 through Nov. 5 at the Area Agency on Aging office at 400 E. Wyomissing Ave. in Mohnton.

Topics will include medication management, alcohol use disorder, the aging process, prescription drugs, stress management and healthy living. Participants can learn about the risks of opioids.

Participants will be surveyed before and after each of the six sessions to measure knowledge changes.

Older adults who live in Berks can join for free by calling 610-478-6500 by Sept. 17.