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Alcohol problems in the elderly

J P Wattis

    Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
    |March 1, 1981
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Elderly alcoholism is often misdiagnosed, presenting as falls or dementia. Early recognition of symptoms like confusion and self-neglect is crucial for better outcomes in geriatric alcohol abuse cases.

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    Area of Science:

    • Geriatric Psychiatry
    • Addiction Medicine
    • Clinical Case Reports

    Background:

    • Alcoholism in the elderly is a significant concern, often underdiagnosed.
    • A comprehensive psychiatric service for the elderly identified a notable number of undiagnosed alcoholism cases.

    Observation:

    • Seven case reports of alcoholism in older adults are presented.
    • Patients did not initially present with alcohol abuse symptoms; common initial presentations included falls, confusion, dementia, and self-neglect.
    • Alcohol abuse onset varied, with some patients developing late-onset alcoholism and others being lifelong heavy drinkers.

    Findings:

    • Diagnosis of alcohol abuse in the elderly relies on recognizing non-substance abuse related manifestations.
    • Factors influencing prognosis include age of onset, social/family dynamics, and pre-existing brain damage.

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  • Collusion by family members, particularly alcohol-abusing children, was associated with a poor prognosis in some cases.

    • Implications:

    • Highlights the need for increased awareness and screening for alcoholism in elderly patients presenting with non-specific symptoms.
    • Emphasizes the importance of considering psychosocial factors, including family dynamics, in the assessment and treatment of geriatric alcoholism.
    • Suggests that early and accurate diagnosis is critical for improving treatment outcomes and prognosis in elderly individuals with alcohol use disorder.