This article attempts to highlight the pressing need for social work t
o take more account of the existence of alcohol problems being experie
nced by many elderly people. Surveying the available sketchy data, it
would appear that perhaps as many as 15% of elderly social work client
s may have alcohol related problems. The article continues by consider
ing whether a discernable pattern of elderly drinking is identifiable,
concluding that the greatest problems relate to the severity rather t
han numbers having alcohol related problems, also coupled with an inab
ility to access existing treatment services. Additionally, the article
contends that there are ethical pitfalls in promoting interventions w
hich rest upon stereotypical assumptions or purely technical considera
tions. In conclusion some of the main implications of the survey for s
ocial work practice are drawn out.