The Virginia Center on Aging has had a long and progressive engagement with issues related
to geriatric alcoholism. Early on VCoA conducted the evaluation for an U.S. Administration on Aging-sponsored project
spear-headed by the Department of Gerontology at Virginia Commonwealth University (October 1989-August 1991). This training
and research grant educated older adults, their families, their caregivers, and professionals in the fields of aging,
medicine, and mental health about alcoholism in the elderly. A statewide model program employing a train-the-trainer format
reached thousands of citizens in the Commonwealth and raised levels of awareness about the increasing prevalence of geriatric
alcoholism. The project results are detailed in the "Final Report on The Virginia Statewide Model Detection and Prevention
Program for Geriatric Alcoholism" that was submitted to the Administration on Aging, a number of related publications in
peer-reviewed journals, and the following book Chapter:
Coogle, C. L., & Osgood, N. O. (2002). Prevention of alcohol and substance misuse: Lessons
for the practitioner from a statewide program in Virginia. In A. M. Gurnack, R. Atkinson, and N. Osgood (Eds.), "Treating
alcohol and drug use in the elderly" (pp. 214-234). New York: Springer Publishing Co.
The results of a more recent follow-up on the project document the extent of knowledge
retention and utilization of the information imparted. The program's ability to: 1) encourage subsequent training or study
experiences in geriatric alcoholism; 2) enhance the detection of alcohol problems, and 3) increases the incidence of
assistance to older adults is documented in the following publication:
Coogle, C. L., Osgood, N. O., & Parham, I. A. (2001). Follow-up to the Statewide Model
Detection and Prevention Program for Geriatric Alcoholism. "Community Mental Health Journal, 37" (5), 381-391.
Geriatric Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism:
Current Issues and Future Directions
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Aren't most older alcoholics homeless derelicts and skid row bums? |
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Can't drinking be a comfort for older people as they lose their social roles, family members or friends? |
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Shouldn't elders in nursing homes be allowed to drink alcohol as a way of coping with decreased functioning and pain? |
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Isn't it nearly impossible to end the dependence on alcohol in older adults who have been drinking all of their lives? |
If you tend to agree with these questions, you're not alone. Too many people hold these
stereotypes that have come to characterize older drinkers. In the Spring 1998 issue of the Southwest Journal on Aging
, Special Guest Editors Drs. Constance Coogle (of VCoA) and Nancy Osgood (of Gerontology) presented the current thinking and
research findings from their colleagues who address the questions above. They discussed the treatment alternatives,
psychosocial consequences, adverse alcohol/medication interactions, and policy implications related to geriatric alcohol
abuse. Drawing on their backgrounds in education and training, Drs. Coogle and Osgood also focused on advances in preventing
and detecting drinking problems in the older population with a section that details some of the best practices in this needed
area of endeavor. Targeted to professionals practicing in the fields of aging, health, and substance abuse, this issue is
compelling enough to be of interest to researchers, families, and older adults who want a snapshot of current issues and
suggested future directions for progress in this area.
Single copies of the issue are available by contacting SWSA, 125 HES, Oklahoma State
University, Stillwater, OK, 74078 or by calling (405) 744-7511.
Messages of Concern Booklet and Video Still Available
The Virginia Geriatric Education Center (VGEC), Department of Gerontology, School of Allied
Health, Virginia Commonwealth University is again offering the project products..
The video, "Messages of Concern: Alcoholism and the Older Adult," combines dramatizations
of an older male alcoholic and concerned family members and caregivers with didactic presentation of information.
Physiological and psychological effects of alcohol on older adults, information on alcohol-drug interactions, warning signs
of late-life alcoholism, and information about intervention and treatment are presented. Messages of Concern is available for
loan at the VCoA Video Lending Library
The booklet, "Messages of Concern," was designed to provide information to health and
human resource professionals involved with older persons who abuse or misuse alcohol, but who do not have formal training in
substance abuse issues, and to older people and their family members. The same topics presented in the video are discussed
in detail in the booklet. Charts and figures are used to enhance the presentation.
For further information email Tara Livengood or call (804-828-1525)
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