Overview

• Age-related reductions in muscle mass with lower body water raise blood alcohol concentration in older adults; this heightens intoxication and risk of serious falls at reduced alcohol doses.
• Research indicates seniors exhibit working memory deficits after less than one drink, and driving simulations show impairment at low blood alcohol levels.
• Even low alcohol intake can worsen chronic conditions in older adults, including dementia, diabetes, cancer, hypertension and heart disease.
• Mixing alcohol with common medications such as aspirin, benzodiazepines, and antihypertensives can trigger severe gastrointestinal bleeding, respiratory depression and reduced drug efficacy.
• Experts now recommend a maximum of one alcoholic drink per day and seven per week for adults over 65 in response to rising patterns of senior binge drinking.