Abstract
BackgroundRisk of harm from drinking is heightened in later life, owing to age-related sensitivities to alcohol. Primary care services have a key role in supporting older people (aged ≥50 years) to make healthier decisions about alcohol.AimTo examine primary care practitioners’ perceptions of factors that promote and challenge their work to support older people in alcohol risk-reduction.Design and settingQualitative study consisting of semi-structured interviews and focus groups with primary care practitioners in Northern England.MethodThirty-five practitioners (GPs, practice/district nurses, pharmacists, dentists, social care practitioners, and domiciliary carers) participated in eight interviews and five focus groups. Data were analysed thematically, applying principles of constant comparison.ResultsPractitioners highlighted particular sensitivities to discussing alcohol among older people, and reservations about older people’s resistance to making changes in old age; given that drinking practices could be established, and promote socialisation and emotional wellbeing in later life. Age-related health issues increased older people’s contact with practitioners, but management of older people’s long-term conditions was prioritised over discussion of alcohol. Dedicated time to address alcohol in routine consultations with older people and training in alcohol intervention facilitated practitioners, particularly pharmacists and practice nurses.ConclusionThere are clear opportunities to support older people in primary care to make healthier decisions about alcohol. Dedicated time to address alcohol, training in identification of alcohol-related risks (particularly those associated with old age), and tailored interventions for older people, feasible to implement in practice settings, would help primary care practitioners to address older people’s alcohol use.
Highlights
Alcohol use is a leading modifiable cause of disease and premature death.[1]
Dedicated time to address alcohol, training in identification of alcohol-related risks, and tailored interventions for older people, feasible to implement in practice settings, would help primary care practitioners to address older people’s alcohol use
Thirty-five primary care practitioners participated in eight interviews and five focus groups (2–10 participants, each made up of in-practice colleagues)
Summary
Alcohol use is a leading modifiable cause of disease and premature death.[1] Older people (aged ≥50 years) are more likely to experience alcohol-related harm than people of any other age group.[2,3] Physiological tolerance of alcohol decreases with age.[4,5] Older adults often have longterm conditions that may be exacerbated by drinking, or take medications that interact harmfully with alcohol.[6,7] Most older people living in higher-income countries use alcohol. Up to 45% of older drinkers consume alcohol at hazardous levels, where their intake puts them at risk of physical, psychological, or social harm.[8]. Risk of harm from drinking is heightened in later life, owing to age-related sensitivities to alcohol. Primary care services have a key role in supporting older people (aged ≥50 years) to make healthier decisions about alcohol
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