Citation

Roche AM, Harrison NJ, Chapman J, Kostadinov V, Woodman RJ. J. Aging Health 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0898264320936953

PMID

32583701

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Alcohol consumption and harms among older people are increasing. We examined different demographic characteristics and drinking patterns among an older population.

METHODS: Secondary analyses of nationally representative Australian data; subjects aged 50+ years (N = 10,856). Two-step cluster analysis was performed to identify demographic groups and alcohol consumption behaviours.

RESULTS: Three groups were identified: Group 1 (older, unmarried, and lived alone): >65 years, moderate drinkers, poorest health, psychological distress, social disadvantage, smokers, illicit drug users, and more frequent previous alcohol treatment. Group 3 (older married): >65 years, good health, low psychological distress, less likely to drink at risky levels, and one in five drank daily. Group 2 (younger married): 50-64 years, mostly employed, highest proportion of risky drinkers and of 5+ standard drinks per session, and liberal drinking attitudes with most concern from others about their drinking.

DISCUSSION: These demographic typologies can inform targeted prevention efforts for an estimated 1.3 million adults older than 50 years drinking at risky levels.

Language: en

Keywords

older adults; harm reduction; alcohol consumption; Australians; cluster analysis