Over-50s drink alcohol to cope with ‘life difficulties’
Older people are turning to alcohol to cope with “life difficulties” including retirement, bereavement, and loss of sense of purpose in life.
The report is the biggest ever study on drinking habits of people over 50Forming part of a £25 million UK-wide campaign called Drink Wise, Age Well; the report is based on data from almost 17,000 people, making it the biggest ever study on drinking habits of people over 50.
One in five respondents admitted consuming more than the Government’s recommended weekly limit, which, at the time of the survey, was defined as more than 50 units weekly for men, or 35 units for women. This has recently been lowered to 14 units for both men and women.
In total, 40% attributed the increase in alcohol consumption to retirement, 26% to bereavement, 20% to loss of sense of purpose in life, 18% to fewer opportunities to socialise, and 18% to a change in financial circumstances
In addition, 83% said they had never been told to cut down by friends or loved ones, and 23% would not know where to go for help if they needed it. One in four said they would not tell anyone if they needed help.
The report said: “Age-related factors can lead to increased drinking; factors can include social isolation and loneliness, life transitions such as retirement and bereavement, medication use, dementia and frailty. An age-nuanced approach to strategies looking to reduce alcohol-related harm is urgently needed.
“Government strategies and public health initiatives often focus on younger people; networks of family members, colleagues and friends who often identify problem drinking in older adults can decline in later life; both primary and acute care services often do not appreciate the relationship between alcohol-related harm and age; and treatment and service provision are often not designed with the needs of older adults in mind.”
