Alcohol can have a greater effect on our bodies as we get older. About a third of older people develop alcohol problems, for the first time, in later life.
As people get older, their bodies change. Alcohol is broken down more slowly and they become more sensitive to the effects of alcohol. Therefore, if people continue to drink the same amount of alcohol as they get older it is likely to affect them more. It is important for people, as they get older, to be aware of how much they are drinking and to think about drinking less.
Major changes in our life can lead to our drinking levels creeping up without us realizing.
These life changes include bereavement, physical ill-health, becoming a caregiver, loneliness, difficulty getting around, social isolation, changes in life patterns, e.g. no longer working and unhappiness or depression.
Problem drinking in seniors is often hidden and the symptoms can be mistaken for a physical or mental health problem.
For older people it is important to set clear drinking limits. Seniors who drink too much are more at risk of a range of both physical and mental health issues. These include accidents, stroke, heart disease, cancer, depression, confusion or dementia.
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