The Big Lottery Fund has announced £25 million to support alcohol-related harm prevention and awareness programme for the over fifties, in partnership with Addaction.
The funding will be part of a 'Rethink Good Health' programme, a UK-wide initiative which aims to 'help inform policy and practice about preventing alcohol-related harm in later life, improve health and wellbeing of people aged 50 and over who are at risk of developing alcohol problems and help build more effective services aimed at alcohol-related issues'.
The seven year programme will include 'flagship' work taking place in Glasgow, Sheffield, Devon, South Wales and Northern Ireland - Addaction are currently recruiting for roles in Devon and Glasgow.
Simon Antrobus, Chief Executive of Addaction, said:
Problem drinking doesn’t happen in isolation – there are always other factors involved. This is especially true for the over 50s who can end up drinking at harmful levels as they face challenging life transitions such as retirement, the loss of a loved one or loneliness.
A recent report from Keele and UCL explored influences on older adult's drinking as an area of increasing significance within an ageing population. In 2012 an Alcohol Research UK report on working with older drinkers explored alcohol problems and treatment needs need amongst older adults whilst last year an Alcohol Concern briefing warned of a 150% rise in hospital admissions for over 60’s with alcohol related mental health problems. A report from the Royal College of Psychiatrists advised over 65's should not drink more than 1.5 units of alcohol a day and have a leaflet outlining the key alcohol issues and risks for older people.
A recent Telegraph report warned over the 'hidden toll of alcoholism among elderly middle class women, partly fuelled by the growth of online shopping delivery services.'
A channel 4 news report also looked at alcohol problems in older adults, and commissioned a poll on the reasons why the over 60s drink versus under 30s. See it's report on one older drinker's battle with alcohol dependency.
Recent Comments