A report from the Royal College of Psychiatrists advises people over 65 should not drink more than 1.5 units of alcohol a day - at least half the standard adult daily guidelines. The reduced amount advised for older adults is the equivalent of about half a pint of lager (5%) or a small glass of wine.
See the full RCP report Our Invisible Addicts which states:
"Current recommended ‘safe limits’ for alcohol consumption are based on work in younger adults. Because of physiological and metabolic changes associated with ageing, these ‘safe limits’ are too high for older people; recent evidence suggests that the upper ‘safe limit’ for older people is 1.5 units per day or 11 units per week"
However the advice has caused some hostile reactions. Speaking on a BBC report, Emma Soames of Saga described the advice as "unbelievable", stating "the levels are so ridiculously low that I don't think people will take them seriously". However charities such as Age UK and Alcohol Concern backed calls for greater awareness and work to address alcohol harm amongst older adults. See further coverage from the Guardian blog and Daily Mail.
The report itself provides detailed insights convened from a older persons substance misuse working group. It includes a series of recommendations including further policy recognition and the development on specific drinking guidelines for older adults. Improved treatment and early intervention to address alcohol harm and further research and training are also advised, warning against misconceptions that alcohol problems are associated mainly with younger people.
The RCP have a leaflet outlining the key alcohol issues and risks for older people. An Alcohol Concern Wales briefing paper was released earlier this year and a series of presentations from an alcohol and older people event are available here.
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