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May 1998

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Problem Drinking in Elderly
a Cause for Concern, says Professor

Alcoholism and problem drinking among the elderly is predicted to rise, and is an issue that has not received sufficient attention from doctors, nursing home professionals and families, according to Prof. Sylvia Mignon. She spoke on the issue of problem drinking and the elderly at an April 16 seminar sponsored by the Gerontology Institute.

Mignon cited obstacles to diagnosis such as reluctance on the part of family members to acknowledge the problem, the isolation and loneliness of some elderly, and generic diagnoses of "dementia" without sufficient attention to cause. She recommended several steps to help recognize the problem, including physician education, emergency room screening, use of a simple alcohol assessment test by health and nursing home personnel, and promoting awareness of the problem through councils on aging.

Trained as a social worker, Mignon is an assistant professor of the Criminal Justice Center.