LIVERPOOL PCT TURNS ATTENTION TO ALCOHOL ABUSE AMONG OLDER PEOPLE - 20/06/08

As the next move in its campaign to fight alcohol abuse, Liverpool PCT now has its sights set on a less prominent, but equally tragic, aspect of the city’s alcohol culture – the misuse of alcohol among older people.

The decision follows national concerns that bored and lonely pensioners are turning to drink. Doctors report an increase in the number of older people with alcohol problems and the situation has been underlined by a report from the charity Alcohol Concern. It states that over 55s in Britain are 20 per cent more likely to be regular drinkers than their European counterparts and that Britain is the only country in Europe to have a statistically significant number of over 55s drinking more than six units a day.

“In moderation, alcohol consumption can contribute to older peoples’ quality of life but in excess, it can also have a negative impact on them and research has not tended to address the problem of older people’s drinking,” says Chair of Liverpool PCT, Gideon Ben-Tovim.

“So far our alcohol campaign has focused on the more dramatic aspect of binge drinking, particularly among the city’s 40,000 students and young people. Now we hope to turn our attention to older people – working with local doctors, health organisations and charities to investigate the extent of the problem then formulating a plan to help the elderly of Liverpool.”

Latest available figures show that the number of men over 65 exceeding 21 units a week increased by 31 per cent from 1988 to 2000 and that trend is believed to have continued. The number of women over 65 drinking more than 14 units a week rose by 75 per cent in the same period.

Factors that can trigger heavy drinking in older people include bereavement stress, physical ill health, loneliness and isolation. Retirement is another factor, when people turn to drink to replace the busy lives they had in employment. However, there are a number of reasons why alcohol problems go undetected for longer among older people. They have less social interaction and many indications of alcohol abuse such as accidents, depression, confusion and self-neglect can be put down to the ageing process.

As part of the Pssst! Be alcohol aware campaign, a special leaflet advising older people on the effects of drinking has been drawn up and the PCT has been working closely with Age Concern. Alcohol has a more powerful effect on older people because their metabolism is slower and it takes longer for alcohol to leave the body. This means there is a greater risk of them being over the legal limit for driving and they are also at an increased risk of falls, trips and mishandling items.

The safe daily limit is much lower than for younger people. It is up to 2-3 units a day for women and up to 3-4 units a day for men with at least one or two days a week when no alcohol is consumed. Many older people take prescription drugs. Mixing medicine and alcohol can heighten the effect of medication or reduce its benefits. It can also cause drowsiness and confusion. Older people should always check with their GP or pharmacist about the effects that alcohol will have on their medication.

Linda Carr, Promoting Independence Manager for Age Concern Liverpool said: “Research by Age Concern has found that drinking alcohol is an important part of social life for older people.  However, illness from excessive alcohol consumption is rising in older people and can be a factor in falls and is often associated with depression and dementia.  Therefore our message to older people who drink is to enjoy a drink in moderation.”

If older people want to find out more about improving their health and wellbeing, they are invited to come along to Age Concern Liverpool's 'Spring into Action' event on Friday 28th March at the Active Age Centre in Clubmoor.  A host of agencies will be on hand to provide information and advice including Liverpool PCT's Personal Health Trainers and people from its Pssst! team who can offer help and support to older people about drinking sensibly.