Waipiro me ngā kaumātua Alcohol and older people
As we grow older, our bodies are less able to cope with alcohol. This can led to health problems and an increased risk of harm such as falling. It is important older people are careful about how much alcohol they drink.
Drinking and older people
Drinking alcohol at harmful levels among older people has been called the "silent epidemic". This is because it is much more common than most people realise.
There are many reasons older people may drink at harmful levels, including:
- a lifelong pattern of drinking too much
- coping with the loss of a partner
- stress from being a caregiver for an unwell partner
- coping with loneliness, anxiety or depression
- relief from boredom, trauma or pain.
Effects of drinking in older people
The problems caused by excessive alcohol in older people are different to those of younger people. Older people may have multiple health problems or take several medicines. This can make the effects of alcohol more unpredictable and more damaging to their health.
When you are older, your body tends to manage alcohol less effectively. This means that an amount of alcohol that you could tolerate when you were younger, can be harmful to you now.
There are several risks if you drink too much when you are older, including:
- falls that may lead to broken bones, cuts or head injuries with brain bleeds
- confusion, loss of memory, worsening concentration and a negative effect on mood
- worsening of health problems like insomnia, diabetes, dementia and liver disease.
Alcohol and medicines
Older people usually take more medicines, which can increase the risk of harm when they drink.
When you mix alcohol with medicines, there is a greater risk of falling or becoming confused. It may also:
- mean the medicine stays in your system longer
- make the medicine less effective
- make the effects of alcohol more unpredictable.
Lower-risk drinking for older people
You may need to cut down your drinking as you get older. You may even need to stop drinking altogether.
To help you cut back on how much alcohol you drink you can:
- set yourself a limit and stick to it
- drink alcohol only with food (food helps the body to deal with alcohol)
- have a non-alcoholic drink after every alcoholic drink
- try having a warm drink, rather than an alcoholic one, to help you sleep.
There are no set rules for how much older people should drink because everyone is different. However, in general older people should drink less than the recommended daily and weekly limits for healthy adults.
Go easy on alcohol
If you drink alcohol, you can reduce your long term health risks by:
- having at least 2 alcohol-free days each week
- limiting your alcohol consumption to no more than the recommended number of standard drinks.
2
Women — 2 standard drinks a day is the recommended limit
10
Women — 10 standard drinks a week is the recommended limit
3
Men — 3 standard drinks a day is the recommended limit
15
Men — 15 standard drinks a week is the recommended limit
Go easy on alcohol
If you drink alcohol, you can reduce your long term health risks by:
- having at least 2 alcohol-free days each week
- limiting your alcohol consumption to no more than the recommended number of standard drinks.
2
Women — 2 standard drinks a day is the recommended limit
10
Women — 10 standard drinks a week is the recommended limit
3
Men — 3 standard drinks a day is the recommended limit
15
Men — 15 standard drinks a week is the recommended limit
Resources
Alcohol and older people (external link)
This booklet has more detailed information and advice about alcohol and older people. It includes information on the problems it can cause, how much you should drink and who can help if you have a drinking problem.