[Medical stakes and prospects in alcohol use amongst the elderly].
Alcohol use disorders (including excessive drinking and dependence) are a common health problem in the elderly. Identification remains difficult. Standardized questionnaires do not adapt adequately in the old person's context. Specific geriatric troubles will become apparent and should alert the care-giver: falls, fractures, global state alteration, decompensated co-morbidities, multiple drug interactions, loss in daily-life activities, neuro psychological alterations. Alcohol must be integrated in each differential diagnosis procedure. An efficient management is possible including a multidisciplinary team: general practitioner, geriatrics and alcohol specialists, and the home working health network. Specialized care (for withdrawal and relapse prevention) and general care (education and re-socialisation) increase the outcome.
Haaz
Sophie
S
Unité communautaire de gériatrie Département de médecine communautaire et de premier recours HUG, 1211 Genève 14. sophie.haaz@hcuge.ch
Gache
Pascal
P
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders; D006801:Humans