LATE-ONSET ALCOHOLISM IN THE COMMUNITY

Course overview

According to the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the prevalence of current alcohol use (at least one drink in the past 30 days) among older age groups decreases with increasing age, from 51.6% among 60 to 64 year olds, to 38.2% among people aged 65 or older. A variety of healthcare professionals, including paramedics, social workers, physical therapists, nutritionists and home health nurses have access to a large geriatric population in the community; however, healthcare professionals in many other specialties also have frequent contact with the elderly. Therefore, information about alcoholism in the elderly is important for every provider who has contact with the elderly because early assessment and intervention have been linked to successful recovery in late-onset alcoholics.