A new report has been released which calls for further attention to the issue of alcohol harms amongst the over 50s.
The report includes findings from a recent survey that identifies a range of factors associated with risky drinking amongst over the 50s, including: life events such as retirement and bereavement, isolation, and other health and well-being issues including dementia and frailty.
Download 'Drink Wise, Age Well: Alcohol Use and the Over 50s in the UK' [pdf]
The 'Drink Wise, Age Well' initiative was established following an award of £25 million lottery funding in 2014. The aim of the programme is to 'help people make healthier choices about their alcohol use' and support front-line roles to better recognise and respond to those who may be at risk.
The report includes findings from a survey of 16,710 adults over 50. Although 80% of respondents were identified as lower risk, this was based on the former daily guidelines and AUDIT score thresholds despite older adults potentially being at greater risk from lower amounts. 17% of over 50s were identified as 'increasing risk' and 3% as 'higher risk', with significant harms and other risks associated with these drinkers.
Some key findings from the report include:
- 17% of the survey respondents are ‘increasing risk’ drinkers (those of an AUDIT score between 8 and 15), whilst 3% were found to be of ‘higher risk’ (AUDIT score of 16+). Whilst 92% of lower risk drinkers drink with someone else, only 62% of higher risk drinkers do.
- Whilst 1% of lower drink drinkers say they drink when down or depressed, this increases to 36% for higher risk drinkers. And 78% of higher risk drinkers say they drink to take their mind off their problems, compared to just 39% of lower risk older respondents.
- The top five reasons for those who reported increases in drinking were age-related; retirement (40%), bereavement (26%), loss of sense of purpose in life (20%), fewer opportunities to socialise (18%) and a change in financial circumstances (18%).
- Being an increasing risk drinker is associated with being male, younger, living in Scotland, identifying as LGBT, not having a chronic illness, still being in work and not having further education after school leaving age. The factors associated with being a higher risk drinker include the first four factors listed above, along with living alone, not having a partner, being widowed and having a chronic illness or disability.
- Higher risk drinkers also are more likely to report poorer physical and mental health, whilst both ‘increasing risk’ and ‘higher risk’ drinkers are more likely to say they are unable to cope with stresses in life, unable to get emotional support from family, and not able to engage in activities they find fulfilling.
The report says there is a 'a pressing need for action to reduce alcohol-related harm in older adults across the UK', and that a 'more nuanced approach for guidelines in relation to alcohol use and older adults' is needed. Furthermore, 'government strategies and policies fail to recognise the association between alcohol-related harm and other policy areas, such as social isolation and loneliness, life transitions in older age such as retirement and age related cognitive impairment, especially dementia.'
Last year research published in the BMJ also called for further attention to the issue of alcohol misuse amongst older adults. It too highlighted a lack of accessible services or a unwillingness to raise the issue with older drinkers. In 2012 a report from the Royal College of Psychiatrists advised over 65's should not drink more than 1.5 units of alcohol a day.
An Alcohol Concern Wales briefing paper is also available and see here for a RCP leaflet outlining the key alcohol issues and risks for older people. There is also a dedicated website on alcohol and older adults here.
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