| Background Partners Seeking Solutions with Seniors (PSSS) is a community coalition that began in 2001 and was formed in response to a request for Manitoba input into a three-year national initiative called Seeking Solutions. Seeking Solutions was undertaken to raise knowledge levels, improve skills and enhance resource/networking capacities of people who are in contact with seniors who may be, or are at risk of substance misuse and abuse. The group began as a small gathering of seniors, health care and addictions staff. Over the past three years we have grown to the point where there are now more than 50 members and we continue to expand our network as we move forward to meet our goals. Issues of substance abuse and misuse among older adults are complex, inter-related, and can substantially affect quality and length of life. They have large-scale implications for pharmaceutical and health care costs related to medications, medical conditions, falls and hospitalizations. If the issues can be addressed, then affected seniors are more able to enjoy fulfilling and satisfying lives, to extend the length of time they are able to live independently and to lessen the need for hospitalization and medication-related costs. Partners Seeking Solutions with Seniors is intentionally bringing together individuals, services and sectors to form collaborative partnerships and seek solutions to these issues. |