Programme LESA Program

Programme
LESA
Program
Alcohol, Drug & Gambling Services for Adults 55+
Dallas Smith – LESA Program Team Leader

• Specialized community-based Addictions
Program for adults 55+
• Offer age-specific services in English and
French for the city of Ottawa
• Counsellors incorporate knowledge about
the normal aging process, drug and
behaviour dependency, and holistic health
Who we are

• LESA operates from a Harm Reduction
and Client-centred model of care
• Overall goal is to improve the physical,
psychological, spiritual and environmental
health and well being of older adults
Our Approach

• Harm Reduction is a process of change and can include
abstinence as the final step.
• Recognizes that some people are not ready to change their
substance use or gambling behaviour – however, they
may:
-Be open to learning new ways to decrease the harms
of substance use or gambling
-Accept support and assistance if it does not require
abstinence
Harm Reduction

Services & Programming

• Individual, face-to-face sessions with
counsellors are the main part of treatment
• Counselling is provided in
our downtown office
a satellite office (East & West End)
and/or in the client’s private home
Individual Counselling

• Individual counselling is complemented by
psycho-educational support groups
• All group programs are Older Adult Peer
(55+) Specific.
• Clients are encouraged to attend groups,
but it is not a mandatory component of
their program.
Psycho-Educational Support
Groups

• LESA runs continuous-cycled psychoeducational
support groups, and special topic
groups throughout the year
• Groups are divided by:
substance
gambling
gender
topic-focus
client’s readiness for change

• Recreation activities of two kinds are an integral
part of the LESA program:
social events or outings to places of interest;
and physical activities to support active living.
• Participation in social activities and physical
exercise can have positive effects on the physical
and mental health.
Recreation Therapy

• Offer a variety of presentations and
workshops specifically designed for
professionals who are regularly in contact
with older adults.
• Consultation for Professionals (and family
members) seeking advice related to older
adults’ alcohol use, drug use, or gambling
Consultation and Training

• Referrals to LESA are usually done over the phone.
Referrals can be done in both English and French.
• Referrals can be made by
- the individual
- health or community professionals
- family members.
• In instances of residential or hospital settings, the referral
agent can make a request to have a counsellor screen the
client in person before discharge from the residential or
hospital setting
Making a Referral to LESA

To be admitted to the LESA Program, clients
must be residents of Ottawa who:
• are 55 or more years of age
• use alcohol, drugs and/or gambling in a
manner presumed, or confirmed, to be
hazardous; and
• express a desire (implicitly or explicitly) for
improved health or well-being.
Admission Criteria

LESA Program
Centretown Community Health Centre
420 Cooper Street
613.233.5430
www.centretownchc.org
Contact Information