Alcohol Misuse in Elderly Care Facilities in Chittenden County, Vermont

Introduction. While alcohol misuse is largely reported as a problem in younger populations, recent studies have shown that it may be a significant, underreported, and under- diagnosed problem in senior populations. In addition, there is sparse literature regarding the prevalence of alcohol misuse in senior care facilities. Understanding and identifying alcohol-related problems in the elderly is critical as the aging population in this county continues to grow. Objective. In this study we aimed to determine the prevalence of alcohol-related issues in local senior care facilities, to better understand the range of policies related to alcohol consumption, and to gain an understanding of what additional resources may be beneficial in the future. Methods. We surveyed 13 Chittenden County, Vermont nursing, assisted living, and independent living facilities using an anonymous questionnaire consisting of 27 questions about alcohol misuse patterns among residents. Results. Our data showed that 2/3 of the respondents reported at least one resident displaying patterns of alcohol use in the last year that they considered unhealthy. In addition, 2/3 of respondents indicated that receiving training to identify residents with alcohol problems would be beneficial. Staff members who had received training also showed better knowledge of resources to offer residents. Conclusions. This data indicates that while the number of concerning residents per institution may be low, there is an ongoing issue of alcohol misuse in need of support. These statistics are also encouraging, as they signify the possibility for both institutional willingness to facilitate treatment and resident interest in attending treatment.