The longitudinal patterns of alcohol use in older New Zealanders

Abstract

In this report, distinct groups of older adults were identified based on their drinking patterns, and then investigated to see whether they could be differentiated based on their sociodemographic and health characteristics.

Five drinking profiles for older adults were found, with 13% of older adults having alcohol consumption patterns that posed a serious and immediate risk to their health (ie drank with moderate or high frequency and consumed many drinks on each occasion). It was also found that older adults were likely to drink with higher frequency if they were male; at the younger stage of older adulthood (around 60-70 years); have a moderate to high level of education; and have a higher economic living standard