Alcohol use in late life: Disability and comorbidity

Alcohol use by older adults is common, yet the risks and/or benefits of dri nking, especially moderate drinking, are not well understood. Heavy drinkin g is a well-established factor in causing disability and excessive mortalit y among all age groups, including the elderly. However, literature is emerg ing that suggests that among elders with chronic medical and emotional heal th disorders, even modest alcohol consumption can lead to excessive disabil ity and poorer perceived health. This article reviews the current literatur e on alcohol use and the relationship to common health problems in late lif e and suggests a model for examining the interaction of alcohol use and dis ability. Implications for intervention development are also discussed.