Search resultsAlcohol use and older adults: A little goes a long way
Title
Alcohol use and older adults: A little goes a long way
Publication type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2007
Authors
Journal
International Journal on Disability and Human Development
Volume
6
Issue
4
Pagination
431 - 440
Date published
2007
ISBN
1565012X (ISSN)
Keywords
Aged, alcohol consumption, Alcohol use, analysis of covariance, article, cognition, Cognitive function, controlled study, daily life activity, Depression, Elderly, Female, health, health promotion, Hopkins verbal learning test, human, Instrumental activities of daily living, intervention study, language test, major clinical study, male, Memory, memory consolidation, Memory training, mental health, mental performance, mini mental state examination, outcome assessment, psychosocial care, Psychosocial intervention, Short Form 36, verbal memory, vision
Abstract
We examined the relationships between alcohol use, cognitive and affective variables, and the potential differential benefits of training for older adults drinkers and non-drinkers who participated in a randomized trial implemented between 2001-2006. Participants, who were living independently in the community, were randomly assigned to either twelve hours of memory training or health promotion classes. Outcomes included depression, health, cognition, verbal, visual, memory, and performance-based IADLs. The sample was 79% female, 17% Hispanic and 12% African-American. The typical participant had an average age of 75 years with 13 years of education. In the memory intervention group, there were 135 individuals (63 drinkers, 72 non-drinkers). In the health promotion condition, there were 129 individuals (58 drinkers and 71 non-drinkers). At baseline, drinkers scored higher on cognition, verbal memory, and lower on depression than non-drinkers. Alcohol use was positively related to physical health at baseline as measured by the Physical Component Summary Score of the Medical Outcomes Health Scale (SF-36). We found significant effects for the time*drinking*treatment group interaction in the repeated measures ANCOVA for the Mini Mental Status Examination, the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test, and the SF-36 Mental Health sub-scale. The time*drinking*group interactions were not statistically significant for any of the other outcomes. This study demonstrated that older adults benefited from targeted psychosocial interventions on affective, cognitive and functional outcomes. In addition, the SeniorWISE study provides empirical support to the research evidence emphasizing the health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption in older adults. Copyright