Background

This project explored how the COVID-19 pandemic affected older people’s alcohol use, and how they can be supported to make healthier decisions about their drinking.

This involved listening to older people’s experiences of their alcohol use during the pandemic, through interviews with a diverse group of older people.

We also looked at recorded webchats from Drink Wise Age Well’s online support service, where older people have discussed concerns they have about their drinking with support staff. In addition, we analysed this data to understand how and why the pandemic has affected older people’s alcohol use, and consider ways to address increased alcohol use in public health and healthcare services.

We also identified and examined evidence from around the world about how the pandemic affected older people’s alcohol use, and needs for support to make healthier decisions.

Aims and objectives

• Understand how older people’s views and use of alcohol have changed during COVID-19, given how their day-to-day routines have been affected, and the stresses they might face.
• Understand how older people’s motivations to engage in healthy or unhealthy drinking might have changed because of the pandemic.
• Understand older people’s ideas about the support they might need to make healthier decisions for their alcohol use.

Resources and further information

• Executive summary: Exploring older people’s support needs for making healthier decisions about alcohol during COVID-19 (PDF).
• Briefing report: Exploring older people’s support needs for making healthier decisions about alcohol during COVID-19 (PDF).
• Project specific case study: Exploring older people’s support needs for making healthier decisions about alcohol during COVID-19 (PDF).
• Video overview: Experts by Experience – Older People’s Alcohol Use During Covid-19 Project (YouTube).

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