The Impact Of Alcohol on the Physical and Mental Health Of Older Adults
SHAHI, MANJU (2026)
2026
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202602162986
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202602162986
Tiivistelmä
The globally rising population of older people and the issue of alcohol use in older adults have recently become a grounded concern. Biological and psychological transformations in older adults increase their vulnerability to the negative consequences of alcohol use, even if it is consumed in low levels. Alcohol use can have a negative association with the physical health and mental states of older adults. The aim of this bachelor’s thesis is focused on the exploration of the influence of alcohol use on the physical and mental health of 65-year-old adults.
The theoretical framework of the thesis includes concepts related to ageing, health, alcohol use, and alcohol-related physical and mental health outcomes in older people. A literature review was utilized in the thesis as the research method. A literature search was carried out on the scientific literature available in the CINAHL and MEDLINE databases as well as APA PsycInfo. The search was carried out on literature related to alcohol consumption and its effects on the physical and mental health of older people. The choice of literature was carried out using inclusion and exclusion criteria. A content analysis of the literature was conducted.
The study shows that alcohol use among older people has been linked with several poor physical health consequences, including frailty, falls, deterioration of existing conditions, and adverse healthcare expenditure. Moreover, alcohol use has been shown to affect mental well-being, including mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, loss of mental functions, and development of dementia. Differences according to gender are also seen, with older males shown to exhibit hazardous patterns of alcohol intake, whereas the females were shown to be prone to mental disorders arising from alcohol use. The study justifies the importance of earlier identification, as well as nursing interventions, for the prevention and promotion of healthy aging among people with alcohol disorders.
The theoretical framework of the thesis includes concepts related to ageing, health, alcohol use, and alcohol-related physical and mental health outcomes in older people. A literature review was utilized in the thesis as the research method. A literature search was carried out on the scientific literature available in the CINAHL and MEDLINE databases as well as APA PsycInfo. The search was carried out on literature related to alcohol consumption and its effects on the physical and mental health of older people. The choice of literature was carried out using inclusion and exclusion criteria. A content analysis of the literature was conducted.
The study shows that alcohol use among older people has been linked with several poor physical health consequences, including frailty, falls, deterioration of existing conditions, and adverse healthcare expenditure. Moreover, alcohol use has been shown to affect mental well-being, including mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, loss of mental functions, and development of dementia. Differences according to gender are also seen, with older males shown to exhibit hazardous patterns of alcohol intake, whereas the females were shown to be prone to mental disorders arising from alcohol use. The study justifies the importance of earlier identification, as well as nursing interventions, for the prevention and promotion of healthy aging among people with alcohol disorders.