NHS Norfolk today issues its second wave of warnings about excessive drinking during the festive season, and is urging older people to know their limits.
Nationally, 8% of patients aged 65 and over who are admitted to hospital are abusers of alcohol. A quarter of those admissions are directly as a result of alcohol-related medical problems.
Dr Ian Mack, a GP and Chair of NHS Norfolk’s Clinical Executive team, said: "Alcohol plays a major role in the number of older people admitted to hospital. Of those people who have alcoholic liver disease, there is a much higher death rate among older people."
Of the people diagnosed with alcoholic liver disease, more than a third – 34% – are dead within a year. It is older people diagnosed with the disease who have the high mortality rate. Mixing alcohol and prescribed drugs can be equally dangerous.
Dr Mack added: "If people are drinking alcohol and taking prescribed medication it can have a very complex effect on the body. Alcohol affects the way the liver processes many drugs."
This means the drugs may not do the job they were intended for. Mixing alcohol and prescribed drugs can cause nausea and vomiting – and can potentially be deadly.
Jocelyn Pike, Lead Commissioner for Alcohol and Substance Misuse for NHS Norfolk, said: "We have an older population in Norfolk given that it is an area many often choose to retire to. At this time of year, given the rural nature of the county, a lot of older people can feel increasingly isolated and may be prone to drinking to excess, but they may not have any awareness of the physical and mental effects it can have.
"Alcohol can also bring on depression, and depression can encourage people to drink more. However, there is lots support and advice available, and we would advise anyone who thinks they have a problem with alcohol to seek professional help. In addition a healthy diet and even mild exercise can improve the mental and physical ability of the body to deal with the effects of alcohol use."
The Chief Medical Officer recommends that men should not regularly drink more than 3-4 units of alcohol daily, and women should not regularly drink more than 2-3 units daily. Just one glass of wine or a pint of standard lager/beer can be the equivalent of 3 units.
Maureen Begley, Commissioning Manager, Older Peoples’ Services at Norfolk County Council, said: "When you are older your body does not deal with alcohol quite so well as it did when you were younger. It can also increase the risk of slips, trips and falls. These can lead to people losing confidence.
"While some older people may feel alone at Christmas we want to stress that they are not alone when it comes to seeking help for alcohol problems. There are many organisations prepared to offer support, and we would urge anyone who feels they need help to contact them."
Anyone wishing to seek help or advice in relation to their alcohol use is advised to contact their GP in the first instance.
NHS Norfolk