Ageing and Alcohol: Drinking Typologies among Older Adults. (25th June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Roche, Ann M.; Harrison, Nathan J.; Chapman, Janine; Kostadinov, Victoria; Woodman, Richard J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of aging and health. Volume 32:Number 10(2020)
• Page Start: 1486
• Page End: 1497
• Publication Date: 2020-06-25
• Subjects: alcohol consumption -- harm reduction -- Australians -- older adults -- cluster analysis; Older people -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1177/0898264320936953
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0898-2643

Abstract

Objectives: Alcohol consumption and harms among older people are increasing. We examined different demographic characteristics and drinking patterns among an older population.Methods: Secondary analyses of nationally representative Australian data; subjects aged 50+ years ( N = 10, 856). Two-step cluster analysis was performed to identify demographic groups and alcohol consumption behaviours.Results: Three groups were identified: Group 1 (older, unmarried, and lived alone): >65 years, moderate drinkers, poorest health, psychological distress, social disadvantage, smokers, illicit drug users, and more frequent previous alcohol treatment. Group 3 (older married): >65 years, good health, low psychological distress, less likely to drink at risky levels, and one in five drank daily. Group 2 (younger married): 50–64 years, mostly employed, highest proportion of risky drinkers and of 5+ standard drinks per session, and liberal drinking attitudes with most concern from others about their drinking.Discussion: These demographic typologies can inform targeted prevention efforts for an estimated 1.3 million adults older than 50 years drinking at risky levels.