Table of Contents

About This Course

1. Introduction to Elder Abuse
2. The Basics of Elder Abuse
3. Substance Use and Other Risk Factors
4. Screening and Assessment
5. Intervention and Treatment
6. Preventing Elder Abuse

Supplements
Case Studies
References
Resources

Out of the Shadows
Uncovering Substance Use and Elder Abuse

Specific Concerns: Alcohol Use Among Older Adults

Health specialists have identified the following specific concerns that may make alcohol use dangerous to the health and well-being of an older adult.

Older adults are more likely to have at least one chronic illness. Alcohol can trigger a new medical problem or make an existing medical problem worse. Some examples are:

• High blood pressure
• Heart attacks
• Strokes
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Malnutrition

Older adults are more likely to be taking prescription and over-the-counter medicines for their current diseases and conditions. These drugs can interact in dangerous ways with alcohol to cause:

• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Depression
• Internal bleeding
• Death

Age-related changes make the body more sensitive to the effects of alcohol. Due to slower metabolism and increased dehydration, older adults can experience more toxic effects. Alcohol can cause an increase in:

• Falls
• Emotional problems, such as depression
• Confusion and unclear thinking

Diagnosis of alcohol abuse is more difficult with older adults. The criteria used to determine an alcohol problem do not work well with older adults because:

• Small amounts of alcohol or infrequent use can cause negative effects.
• Symptoms of abuse can be easily confused with common conditions in older adults.
• Common problems, such as missing work, may not occur due to retirement.