Citation

Woodruff SI, Clapp JD, Sisneros D, Clapp E, McCabe C, DiCiccio R. J. Appl. Gerontol. 2009; 28(5): 649-660.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0733464809338040

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

More information is needed about the spectrum of alcohol use among older individuals, and correlates of problem drinking. This study described the alcohol use risk levels of a large convenience sample of patients 65 years and older visiting two large California hospital emergency departments (EDs). A personal interview, administered in the ED by a trained health educator, collected sociodemographic information and alcohol use using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test instrument. A total of 476 older patients provided complete interviews. This group equally comprised of men and women. Fifty-four percent were White non-Hispanic, 28% were Hispanic, 11% were African American, and 6% Other/Unknown. About 14% were at risk or above for alcohol misuse. No differences in risk-level distribution were found for young-old (65-74 years of age) and old-old (75+) groups. Higher alcohol risk was associated with male gender and higher income. Results are discussed in terms of intervention approaches for older people.