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.
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