Older people and alcohol misuse –
why we need to ask more questions
R
ESEARCH CARRIED OUT by QMU has shown that health
professionals are reluctant to ask older people about
their pattern of drinking alcohol for fear of offending
Health professionals are wary about asking older people about
their drinking habits in case it creates a difficult conversation and
so important lifestyle questions related to drinking alcohol are
often avoided. Dr Maclean found that changes in an older person’s lifestyle, such
as retirement and loneliness, often did not prompt occupational
therapists to ask their patients’ questions about their pattern
and nature of drinking alcohol. She confirmed: “In older age,
healthfulness is considered important as it can indicate the extent
to which older people remain socially engaged with others. When
social connections diminish in older age, drinking alcohol can
develop into an unhealthy occupation.”
Dr Fiona Maclean is a Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy
and part of the Centre for Person-centred Practice Research at
QMU. Dr Maclean, who led the research project, explained: “With
an ageing population and changing lifestyles, we need to further
our understanding of the relationship older people (aged 65 and
over) can have with alcohol. The Centre for Person-centred Practice Research at QMU is
grateful to the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland which
provided the funding for this project. ❒
them.
The University study was carried out with 17 occupational
therapists based in acute hospitals across Scotland. The aim was
to understand older people’s use of alcohol in occupying their time
and its impact on healthfulness.
“Changing life transitions in older age such as retirement,
bereavement, social isolation and loneliness can result in older
people developing a problematic relationship with alcohol. As part
of the research, occupational therapists gave examples, such as
bereavement and changing health status, as reasons why older
people might increase their alcohol intake.”
The research found that unless flagged as ‘drinking to excess’
on medical notes, therapists would not address drinking alcohol
with older people for fear of offending, a lack of knowledge of what
to do next and a tendency to view the conversation as potentially
opening a can of worms.
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QMYOU / Health & Rehabilitation
Dr Maclean concluded: “Our research highlights the need for
occupational therapists to become more aware of the role alcohol
can play in the lives of older people. We need to create ways in
which therapists feel confident in asking questions of older people
about their occupation of drinking alcohol. By addressing these
issues we will be better equipped to help people make healthy
transitions into older age.”
“
Health professionals are wary about asking
older people about their drinking habits in
case it creates a difficult conversation.ˮ