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Hidden harm?: alcohol and older people in Wales
- Author:
- ALCOHOL CONCERN
- Publisher:
- Alcohol Concern
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 5p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This briefing outlines the problem of alcohol misuse among older people in Wales, in the context of an ageing population. Overall, alcohol consumption tends to decline with age, but there is evidence that the proportion of older people drinking more than the recommended amount is rising. Older people may be at increased risk of alcohol misuse because of factors related to ageing, including disruption to lifestyle following retirement, social isolation, bereavement, longterm ill-health and disrupted sleep. Older people’s drinking also tends to receive little attention. Reasons for this include a focus on the problem of young people’s binge drinking and the fact that older people can be secretive about their drinking and about personal problems in general. Other factors identified are the lack of awareness by health professionals, ageist attitudes among both health professionals and family carers, and lack of liaison between the NHS and local alcohol services. The briefing concludes with a number of recommendations for action to ensure the issue is addressed and managed.