'Drink Wise, Age Well': older adults and the labour market

The 'Drink Wise, Age Well' programme has released a new report exploring the relationship between alcohol and labour market activity in the over 50s population of the UK, and a workplace guide for employers.

According to the executive summary:

'The report sets out the specific barriers and challenges faced by over 50s with current or previous drinking problems at three stages of labour market activity: unemployment, employment and retirement. At each stage, this report shows that there is a pressing need for action, not just for the emotional and physical wellbeing of our over 50s population, but for the wider UK economy and the productivity of the UK labour force. This group of over 50s often suffer multiple levels of stigmatisation due to their age, history of alcohol problems and employment status. There is a need for central and local government, employers and the third sector to address these barriers now in order to prevent alcohol-related harm in the over 50s population of the UK.'

A series of recommendations address issues related to job seeking, those in employment and retirees. The supporting workplace guide is aimed at employers, line managers, Human Resources, Occupational Health and Trade Union representatives and covers:

• How alcohol use can impact on the workplace
• Alcohol units (what they are and how they can be calculated)
• UK alcohol guidelines and simple tips on how employees could make healthier choices around their alcohol use
• Why alcohol impacts people differently as they age
• The importance of valuing older employees and reducing stigma about alcohol in the workplace
• How the workplace can support employees to make healthier choices about alcohol as they age

Momentum in recognising drinking amongst older adults?

'Drink Wise, Age Well' was established following an award of £25 million lottery funding in 2014 aiming to help older adults make 'healthier choices about their alcohol use' and to support front-line roles to better recognise and respond to those who may be at risk. Prior to the project, calls to address rising alcohol-related problems amongst older adults had been made by Dr Tony Rao and others including the Royal College of Psychiatrists, although with limited national level response. Whilst a limited number of local older adult focused alcohol services had been set up, some have more recently fallen as treatment budgets shrink and smaller providers struggle to compete.

As such 'Drink Wise, Age Well' may be welcomed by many for championing the issue, particularly in terms of the need for wider health and social care services to integrate effective working. A range of challenges though have been long established, particularly the stigma associated with identifying and working with older adults, service access barriers, and interlinked issues such as isolation or conditions such as alcohol-related dementia. Indeed a recent report from the Glasgow Centre for Population Health warned not to ‘ghettoise’ messages and services but recognise the complexity of the issue of older adults and alcohol.

As with other alcohol harm reduction strategies focusing on health, an emphasis on the opportunities for better prevention through early identification and improved wellbeing approaches is considered of key importance. However such shifts take time, and are likely to be held back by a health and social care system in challenging times. Rather like attempts to integrate alcohol prevention within workplace settings, sustained attention to the issue will be required to achieve longer term success.

See here for the previous 'Drink Well, Age Well' report and here for all Older People tagged Alcohol Policy UK posts.