Alcohol Use, Work, and Retirement among People Aged 50+ in the UK Dr Brian Beach International Longevity Centre – UK (ILC-UK) George Holley-Moore, ILC-UK Dr Cesira Urzì Brancati, ILC-UK Dr Sarah Wadd, University of Bedfordshire Dr Iolo Madoc-Jones, Wrexham Glyndwr University Prof Lawrie Elliott, Glasgow Caledonian University Prof Michael Donnelly, Queen’s University, Belfast Dr Anne Whittaker, Edinburgh Napier University

Funded by the Big Lottery Fund Aims to provide comprehensive prevention-to-treatment programme, focused at key transition points Multiple interventions at various levels, shaped by and involving community participation Five demonstration areas and five control areas

Strategic Partnership

Drink Wise, Age Well Survey Postal questionnaire sent to patients aged 50+ in 30 GP practices Nearly 16,700 people aged 50+ completed the questionnaire Only survey specifically designed to examine drinking behaviour in later life Uses the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) Lower Risk = 1-7 Increasing Risk = 8-15 Higher Risk = 16+

AUDIT Categories

Yearly Reports Year 1: State of the Nation Found that among those whose alcohol use had increased, 40% cited retirement and 20% cited loss of purpose Year 2: Labour Market Participation Employment, Unemployment, & Retirement Evidence review of literature Analysis of DWAW survey and Understanding Society Three inquiry sessions gathering evidence from users, business, academics, parliamentarians, and service providers

Alcohol & Employment in the 50+ Older people in a professional occupational class drink the most frequently: Nearly 30% drink 5-7 days a week Over half drink 3 days or more

Alcohol & Unemployment in the 50+ Previous alcohol problems are a significant barrier to re- employment Only 16% of employers would hire someone with previous alcohol problems 40% of men aged 55-64 and women 55-59 on JSA are increasing risk drinkers – twice that of 16-24 year olds DWAW survey: those looking for work are more than 3x as likely to be higher risk drinkers compared to the employed Long-term unemployment is a particular issue Areas of deindustrialisation are associated with problem drinking in their populations

Alcohol & Retirement in the 50+ Recent retirees are more likely to drink almost every day than those still in work or retired more longer term No difference between these latter two groups suggest the transition is a driving factor Those who retire before 60 are more likely to be a high risk drinker Poor health is a recognised driver for early exit, and alcohol-related harm could play a role in this However, alcohol can play a positive role in retirement, being already embedded in many older adults’ social lives and activities

Some Conclusions Employment: Employers need support and encouragement to develop effective workplace alcohol policies Deal with problem drinking as a health issue rather than a disciplinary issue, in a confidential and supportive way Unemployment: Older job seekers with current or previous alcohol problems suffer multiple layers of stigmatisation But this group, when given an opportunity, demonstrate loyalty, skills, and productivity Retirement: The transition into retirement can be a danger point for problem drinking, particularly among hard to reach groups Public health messages could do more to target retired people, while employers could offer wellbeing support for employees approaching retirement as well as promote post-work clubs to encourage healthy ageing

Dr Brian Beach, ILC-UK brianbeach@ilcuk.org.uk George Holley-Moore, ILC-UK Dr Cesira Urzì Brancati, ILC-UK Dr Sarah Wadd, University of Bedfordshire Dr Iolo Madoc-Jones, Wrexham Glyndwr University Prof Lawrie Elliott, Glasgow Caledonian University Prof Michael Donnelly, Queen’s University, Belfast Dr Anne Whittaker, Edinburgh Napier University