This project aimed to identify gaps in provision, develop strategies and solutions to address identified needs, consider what can be done through existing interagency working and training initiatives and looked at ways to support particularly isolated older people.

Introduction

Concern exists that drinking amongst older people may be a factor in accidents and other traumatic incidents as well as in alcohol related diseases. There is evidence that alcohol adversely affects mental health and that this may be a growing problem. The extent of alcohol use and related mental health issues is likely to increase as the ‘baby boomers’ cohort reaches old age as recent studies indicate this group of people maintain higher levels of alcohol consumption than previous groups. In addition, the impact of alcohol on older people and the risks to them and to the community around them is becoming of more concern to service providers within health, social care and housing fields and may also be a developing area of concern for policing.

Within Brighton & Hove there is no dedicated service for older people who may have problems with alcohol and would like to seek help. The acute services that do exist are for those at the more extreme end of the spectrum of alcohol use and are not always suitable for the needs of older people either in their geographical location and access or because the predominant group using them is younger.

The Project

Funded by BSCKE, the project aimed to identify gaps in provision; develop strategies and solutions to address identified needs; consider what could be done through existing interagency working and training initiatives and look at ways to support particularly isolated older people.

Project partners

Age Concern Brighton, Hove & Portslade

SSPARC (Social Science Policy and Research Centre) University of Brighton

Brighton & Hove City Council