Alcohol use and abuse in the elderly: Findings from the liverpool longitudinal study of continuing health in the community

Abstract

. SUMMARYProblem drinking and patterns of alcohol consumption are examined as part of a follow-up study of 1070 elderly subjects randomly selected from Liverpool general practitioner lists. Using a community version of the Geriatric Mental State Examination, the prevalence of current drinking problems was found to be 9.4/ 1000 subjects aged 65 and over. At follow-up three years later, one-third were drinking moderately and a similar proportion whose health had seriously deteriorated were abstinent. Detailed examination of drinking patterns reveals a decline with age in the number of subjects drinking regularly. This decline is accompanied by a trend towards reduction in alcohol consumption with age which is less marked for women. Nearly one-fifth of both males and females who are drinking regularly are exceeding recommended sensible limits of alcohol consumption.

Alcohol abuse among older adults

“…For example, in a sample of 1070 Liverpool residents aged 65+, less than one per cent abused alcohol. 6 A recent community survey in London revealed similar results. 7 In contrast, Bridgewater et al 8 found that 23% of men and 11% of women aged 60+ in a sample 101 general practice patients in Newcastle were classified as having alcohol problems.…”

Alcohol and the Elderly

“…In men the figure was 5.7% [ 11. The decline in drinking with age is most marked in heavy drinkers and in men [1,9]. Decline of drinking with age has also been shown in a longitudinal study of elderly Liverpool residents [5].…”

“…Non-drinking has been found to increase from 22% in the 30s to 47% in the 60s and around 80% in the over 80s [1,5]. Not only do fewer elderly drink regularly, but those who do are more moderate in their habits [6].…”

“…The significance of this finding is questionable as no control group was presented and widowhood is known to be common in the ageing population. Community studies have failed to find a relationship between marital status and elderly drinking [5].…”

“…For example, one clinical survey found that alcohol was recognised as a problem on admission in only half the elderly patients later found to have major alcohol difficulties [27]. Elderly problem drinkers may admit to their predicament in only a half of cases [ 5 ] .…”