Alcohol and the elderly: an overlooked phenomenon in the literature in developing countries-the Israeli case

This paper provides a review and critique of research on Israeli older people's drinking. On the basis of a review of all published Israeli alcohol research, in Hebrew and English, it summarizes the findings concerned with alcohol and ageing in Israel. Research findings on this population are as inadequate in Israeli literature as is the case in other developing countries: this is a reflection of the common lack of interest in the problems of the elderly. In Israel and other developing countries, gerontologists are not interested in alcohol problems, alcohol researchers are not interested in the elderly, and alcohol abuse is not perceived as a problem of ageing. It is suggested that, with the increasing proportion of the population living past 65 years of age, the connections between ageing and alcohol abuse should be explored. Various directions for future research in Israel and other developing countries are suggested.