2. 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

3. 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

4. Strategic Partnership

5. Drink Wise, Age Well Survey
Postal questionnaire sent to patients aged 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+

6. AUDIT Categories

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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 and women on JSA are increasing risk drinkers – twice that of 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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