The Growing Trend Of Alcohol Abuse Among Senior Citizens

As baby boomers are approaching retirement age

, a growing trend in unhealthy drinking habits is emerging among senior adults ages 65 and over.

A Brandeis University study funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) on the drinking habits of Medicare beneficiaries ages 65 and older found that one in ten were drinking more than the recommended guidelines.

Senior citizens have lower recommended alcohol consumption guidelines than younger adults. Seniors are more sensitive to alcohol and are not able to metabolize it as well as younger adults. The NIAAA and American Geriatrics Society recommend that senior men have no more than two alcoholic drinks per day and senior women no more than one. Due to body weight and body chemistry, older women are even more sensitive to alcohol than older men. Unhealthy alcohol consumption in older adults is more than 30 drinks a month or four or more drinks in a day.

Many older adults drink out of boredom or loneliness and many others drink because they are retired and have more to play such as spending time on the golf course. Whatever the reason, seniors should be aware of the recommended guidelines for alcohol consumption at their age and stick to those guidelines. Deviating from those guidelines can cause an alcohol-related accident, exacerbate medical problems, conflict with medications, reduce functioning and memory, and increase the risk of falls.

In another study concerning alcohol consumption among senior citizens, researchers found that older adults may be impaired even under a moderate dose of alcohol, although they may not be aware (i.e., report) of this impairment.2 The study suggests that senior adults who consume alcohol even if only the acceptable one or two drinks in moderation may want to consider spending extra at their destination for their alcohol to metabolize before getting behind the wheel. Although two drinks may be an acceptable limit and may not be considered legally impaired, seniors reaction times are slower and this means they need more time when driving to react to a situation than a younger driver. Alcohol at any level can delay this reaction time making any amount of alcohol and the senior drive a deadly combination.

References

1. Merrick EL, Horgan CM, Hodgkin D, Garnick DW, Houghton SF, Panas L, Saitz R, Blow FC. Unhealthy drinking patterns in older adults; prevalence and associated characteristics. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2008 Feb;56(2):214-23. Epub 2007 Dec 11.

2. Gilbertson R, Ceballos NA, Prather R, Nixon SJ. Effects of acute alcohol consumption in older and younger adults: perceived impairment versus psychomotor performance. J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2009 Mar;70(2):242-52.

by: Larry A Burns

POST COMMENT

Free Html Email Newsletter Templates What Static Cling Can Be Used For King Of The Swingers? Choose The Right Organic Face Wash What Is The Act? Is A Scoopfreeelectric Cat Litter Box Worth The Cost?|convenient To Use A Scoopfree Electric Cat Lit Eradicating The Counterfeiters Vito Carlo Moccia Assolto Da Tutte Le Accuse How To Control Major Bleeding From Shark Bites Fetal Results Of Maternal On Alcohol Dependency Shortening The List Of The Most Beneficial Drug Rehabilitation Program Available Are Led Downlights A Good Option For Your Residence? Exactly How Two-way Receivers May Help Manage Enterprise Talking Throughout An Critical