Incidence
In terms of the incidence, the population of people 65 and older is increasing. It is currently at 13%, and by 2020, it will be at 16%. Of those individuals 65 and older, almost one-fifth of them meet the criteria for a mental disorder, which could include depression or alcohol misuse/abuse. Of people 65 and older, 40% of them drink alcohol. The potential for problematic drinking in the older population is expected to increase.
Forty-one percent those 65 and older, who are admitted to the hospital, were found to use tobacco, alcohol, and drugs in excess of the recommend limits. That is a huge percentage. The other thing to be aware of is that one-third of older adults with alcoholic problems develop that later in life. Again, you have 40% of people coming in with an issue; one-third of those people are developing it in their older age; and of those people coming in, medical staff is only picking out about 25% of them with problems. Of that 25% they are picking up, only 10% of them are receiving referral. When you do the math, it leaves a huge number of people with a problem who are falling through the cracks.
Why?
Older people drink for the same reason that anyone drinks. The most common reason is for fun and celebration; social reasons. Unfortunately, when you move to using alcohol to relieve your depression or to self-medicate for anxiety, it becomes problematic. That transcends age. The oldest of the olds report using alcohol for medicinal purposes. My grandfather was in a religious group that frowned upon drinking. He did not drink until he was in his 60’s and his doctor said that he could have a shot of bourbon every night because it calmed his nerves. You have this notion of people having denied themselves and now it is okay.
Impact
In terms of the impact as you get older, your body and metabolism changes, and things alter. The older adult may be more vulnerable. There is an increased risk of hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, or cardiomyopathy. In terms of the brain, you run the risk of a hemorrhagic stroke. You can have an impairment to the immune system. There is a decreased ability to combat infection. There may be liver disease, decreased bone density, gastrointestinal bleeding, malnutrition, diabetes, and cancer. It is not that everyone is not at these same risks, but you are more at risk as you age.
