How can older people's mental health services in the UK respond to the escalating prevalence of alcohol misuse among older adults?

Abstract

Purpose -There is growing statistical and research evidence to suggest that the prevalence of alcohol misuse is increasing among older adults in the UK. This has been an under-recognised problem, but is now a source of increasing concern for health and social care providers. Older adults with mental health problems have increased vulnerability to problematic alcohol use, and this is likely to have a significant impact on older people's mental health services (OPMHS).Design/methodology/approach -This paper discusses some of the problems facing OPMHS in relation to increasing alcohol misuse among services users.Findings -There is also evidence that alcohol misuse in older adults is often poorly identified and untreated within health and social care services including OPMHS. Use of an alcohol-screening tool as part of a health care assessment is an effective way to improve detection. This paper also reviews the use of alcohol screening tools in the detection of alcohol related illness among older adults with mental health problems and proposes a care pathway for the management of alcohol misuse in OPMHS.Originality/value -Current evidence indicates that the prevalence of alcohol misuse among older adults is increasing and is likely to rise further due to the reasons discussed in this paper.

Exploring Risky Drinking and Knowledge of Safe Drinking Guidelines in Older Adults

“…In late life, the ability to metabolize alcohol decreases as a result of age-related physiological changes that increase the sensitivity to alcohol and increase the chance of alcohol-related harm (Blow & Barry, 2002). Older adults are also likely to take multiple medications that have adverse interactions with alcohol (Moore et al, 2009;Rakshi, Wilson, Burrow, & Holland, 2011). This greater sensitivity to alcohol affects the appropriateness of applying standard criteria for risky drinking to older adults, because modest levels of alcohol can have adverse consequences on health (Blow & Barry, 2002).…”

Risky drinking and dual diagnosis in older people under a UK community old age psychiatry service

“…There is a need to improve the provision of integrated care for screening and intervention for older people (Andrews et al, 2011;Rakshi et al, 2011). However, this will mean the use of standardised screening instruments for both alcohol use and for cognitive impairment.…”

How does Older People's Drinking Appear in the Daily Work of Home Care Professionals?

“…There is a wide array of research on older people's alcohol consumption, including analysis of relevant questions concerning home care. These studies have focused on such issues as the relationship between alcohol consumption and mental health (St. John, Montgomery, & Tyas, 2009;Rakshi et al, 2011), chronic diseases (McEvoy et al, 2013Ryan et al, 2013), pain (Brennan & SooHoo, 2013), falls (Tait et al 2012;Kurzt haler et al 2005;Cawthon et al 2006;Sorock et al, 2006) and suicides (Morin et al, 2013). The alcohol-drug interactions have typically been studied separately (Ilomäki et al, 2013;Immonen, Valvanne, & Pitkälä, 2013;Johannessen, Engedal, & Helvik, 2015;Cousins et al, 2014).…”