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More elderly in London 'seek drink problem help' | More elderly in London 'seek drink problem help' |
(about 17 hours later) | |
There has been a sharp rise in the number of elderly people being treated for drinking problems in London, figures suggest. | |
Figures compiled for BBC Inside Out London by the NHS Information Centre reveal over the past 10 years, there has been a 163% increase in alcohol-related hospital admissions for the over-65s. | |
The rate is rising faster for the over-65s than any other age group in the UK, and only north-east England has a higher rate of these admissions than London. | |
Older people are much more likely to drink every day than those of other ages, according to an NHS study into alcohol use. | Older people are much more likely to drink every day than those of other ages, according to an NHS study into alcohol use. |
While the rest of the population is drinking slightly less, and slightly less often on average, this is not the case for older people, it said. | While the rest of the population is drinking slightly less, and slightly less often on average, this is not the case for older people, it said. |
Prof Tony Rao, from the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych), said: "London is a bit of a pressure point. | Prof Tony Rao, from the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych), said: "London is a bit of a pressure point. |
"Within London there are areas like Hammersmith and Fulham, Southwark and Camden with even higher rates of death [than the rest of England] from alcohol-related illnesses." | "Within London there are areas like Hammersmith and Fulham, Southwark and Camden with even higher rates of death [than the rest of England] from alcohol-related illnesses." |
The RCPsych claims GPs are missing the problems of elderly drinkers through a combination of time constraints, lack of expertise and the reluctance of older people to ask for help. | The RCPsych claims GPs are missing the problems of elderly drinkers through a combination of time constraints, lack of expertise and the reluctance of older people to ask for help. |
Dr Claire Gerado, who chairs the Royal College of GPs, said: "I think we focus far too much on the young ones. | Dr Claire Gerado, who chairs the Royal College of GPs, said: "I think we focus far too much on the young ones. |
"We do that because the young ones are more visible - they vomit in streets. You don't tend to see a retired 70-year-old bank manager vomiting in the street. | "We do that because the young ones are more visible - they vomit in streets. You don't tend to see a retired 70-year-old bank manager vomiting in the street. |
"But it's just as much of a problem for people drinking at the other end of life as it is for the young ones." | "But it's just as much of a problem for people drinking at the other end of life as it is for the young ones." |
NHS research has found older drinkers often regard excessive drinking problems as a taboo subject. | NHS research has found older drinkers often regard excessive drinking problems as a taboo subject. |
They may also think it is too late to get help, that services are not designed for them, or they may think that they do not have a problem in the first place. | They may also think it is too late to get help, that services are not designed for them, or they may think that they do not have a problem in the first place. |
'Never an issue' | |
Health experts cite a range of reasons for older people drinking heavily including boredom, loneliness, change in lifestyle - usually retirement, bereavement and as a form of self-medication. | Health experts cite a range of reasons for older people drinking heavily including boredom, loneliness, change in lifestyle - usually retirement, bereavement and as a form of self-medication. |
But there are very few services which offer specific support for elderly drinkers. | But there are very few services which offer specific support for elderly drinkers. |
One of the few to target work specifically with the elderly in London is the charity Foundation 66, which has seen an increasing number of senior citizens seeking help. | One of the few to target work specifically with the elderly in London is the charity Foundation 66, which has seen an increasing number of senior citizens seeking help. |
The charity's Sean Dudley said: "It's interesting that 40% of people who are accessing our service have never accessed an alcohol service previously. | The charity's Sean Dudley said: "It's interesting that 40% of people who are accessing our service have never accessed an alcohol service previously. |
"For them, drinking became problematic probably in their late-40s, their 50s and 60s, whereas previously it was never an issue." | |
One Hammersmith resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, is in recovery for a drinking problem that started relatively late in her life. | One Hammersmith resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, is in recovery for a drinking problem that started relatively late in her life. |
"I didn't drink hardly at all before age of 60, just sherry maybe, but then I just took off," she said. | "I didn't drink hardly at all before age of 60, just sherry maybe, but then I just took off," she said. |
"I had lots and lots of upsets with the family, they just couldn't cope and hadn't seen me drinking before - it was out of control, completely out of control. | "I had lots and lots of upsets with the family, they just couldn't cope and hadn't seen me drinking before - it was out of control, completely out of control. |
"I had time on my hands, I met other people who liked a drink and I continued when I went home. | "I had time on my hands, I met other people who liked a drink and I continued when I went home. |
"I think I just stopped in time, because it was getting to the stage where I was not recovering. I couldn't get off [the] floor." | "I think I just stopped in time, because it was getting to the stage where I was not recovering. I couldn't get off [the] floor." |
She is now in recovery for her alcoholism at a centre run by Foundation 66. | She is now in recovery for her alcoholism at a centre run by Foundation 66. |
BBC Inside Out London's alcohol special is broadcast on Monday 9 January on BBC One London at 19:30 GMT and for seven days thereafter on iPlayer. | BBC Inside Out London's alcohol special is broadcast on Monday 9 January on BBC One London at 19:30 GMT and for seven days thereafter on iPlayer. |