A report has advised that the British government alter the recommended amount of alcohol older people should consume. The government should cut the recommended drinking limits for older people, according to doctors, in a move likely to affect many looking to find a care home.
The report from the Royal College of Psychiatrists says current recommended drinking levels for older people are too high as they are based on the alcohol tolerance of younger people. Research revealed that men over 65 should drink no more than 1.5 per units, and for women the limit should be lowered to just one unit a day.
Michelle Mitchell, Age UK charity director, commented, “Age UK fully supports moves to encourage GPs to do more to identify people who are drinking too much and the importance of raising awareness among older people about safe drinking levels as well as younger age groups.”
According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, many middle-aged and elderly adults have problems with alcohol, illegal drugs and prescription medication, as well as complex mental health needs that may make the problems worse.
The report says that the proportion of older people in the population is increasing rapidly and is projected to rise by 50% between 2001 and 2031. The number of older people with substance misuse problems is also reported to be increasing. The report points out that both alcohol and illicit drugs are among the top ten risk factors for premature death and health problems, and that mortality rates linked to drug and alcohol use are higher in older than younger people.
The report also says that substance use disorders in older people are frequently accompanied by complex psychiatric problems, and many older people show complex patterns and combinations of substance misuse, such as problem alcohol use and inappropriate use of prescription drugs. The report covers legal medication, tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs, as well as illicit “street” use of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Regarding use of prescription and over-the-counter medication, the report says that rates of misuse are high, particularly in older women. Although alcohol use declines with age, a significant number of older people consume alcohol at dangerous levels. While illicit drug use is currently uncommon in over-65s, the report projected that this would increase as people who are over 40, who use illicit drugs in significantly increasing numbers, get older.
The report says GPs should screen all people over 65 for substance misuse as part of a routine health check, while more research is needed into treatment and management of substance misuse in this age group. It also points out that treatment of both coexisting physical and psychological conditions is an important part of management. Training health professionals about the impact of substance misuse in older people “is not an optional extra”, it argues.
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