Alcohol use in later life – older people's perspectives

Abstract

There has been increasing recognition that alcohol may be a source of problems for older people. This has been reflected in the increase in alcohol-related hospital admissions for people over 65. Although a neglected area in policy and research within the UK, studies from health and social care practice have drawn attention to the complexity of the issues for practitioners. This paper reports on qualitative research which aimed to generate a wider evidence base by exploring the circumstances in which older people drink, the meaning that drinking alcohol has for them and its impact, acknowledging that this can be a pleasurable and positive experience, as well as something that can have adverse health, financial, personal and interpersonal impacts. Design/methodology/approach A major challenge of the research, given the sensitive nature of the topic, was how to approach older people and ask about their experiences of alcohol use. A participatory methodology was developed in which older people were actively involved in designing and carrying out the research. Older co-researchers conducted 21 individual interviews and 3 focus groups with a diverse range of older research participants from different backgrounds and circumstances. Findings The findings indicate that participants engaged in different drinking styles which connected to complex relationships between individual biographies, personal circumstances and external factors. Recommendations for practice and policy development are made on the basis of these. Originality/value This is a sensitive topic involving stigma and practitioners have highlighted issues around lack of training and appropriate referral services as well as difficulties in approaching the topic with older people. In addition, there is a tension in the drive to promote service users' rights to have choices and the question of whether to intervene if those choices involve risky behaviour. Even less is known about the perspectives of older people themselves and more research is needed to understand the social, cultural and economic contexts of older people's drinking behaviour.

Alcohol and older people: A systematic review of barriers, facilitators and context of drinking in older people and implications for intervention design

“…Twelve studies included both male and female participants, one predominantly male participants [ 11 ], and one did not report gender [ 12 ]. Two studies were conducted in immigrant populations in Canada [ 12 , 13 ], one study was in an all-Caucasian population [ 14 ], two included participants from both white and black and minority ethnic (BME) groups [ 15 , 16 ] and one included predominantly white and Hispanic populations [ 17 ]. Ethnicity was not reported in other studies.…”

“…Alcohol use was linked with social life and enhancing social engagement in almost all studies ( Table 2 ). It was associated with fun and enjoyment and ‘is something to be enjoyed with others’ [ 19 ]; ‘Alcohol appeared to serve an important role for the majority of participants in enhancing positive situations and facilitating enjoyment and socialising with friends and acquaintances’ [ 19 ]; ‘Life would be less enjoyable without it’ [ 15 ].…”

A Qualitative Study of Alcohol, Health and Identities among UK Adults in Later Life

“…Although the overuse of alcohol in later life and its associated stigmas are clearly concerns for public health [15], [18], [30], [57] these issues have not been adequately explored through the framework of social theories to date. Qualitative methods have allowed this study to access social constructions grounded in older peoples' own frames of reference.…”

“…Heavy drinking in this age group is subject to particular stigma [18], [28]–[30]. Given the gendered patterns of alcohol consumption [31], this may be especially so for women's drinking; women in mid to later life, for instance, may perceive particular pressure to present their drinking as appropriate and moderate in a way that men of the same age do not [32], [33].…”

Alcohol and healthy ageing: a challenge for alcohol policy

“…Within this context, the cultural positioning of alcohol as uniquely facilitative of socialising, friendship and bonding 34 37 highlight the perceived benefits of sociability and relaxation associated with consuming alcohol. Wilson et al (2013) for example, stress the role that drinking can play in preventing older people from "losing touch" with their social networks 38 .…”