ABSTRACT
There is a major demographic shift in England and Wales, often referred to as the ‘greying of the population’. By the turn of the century, about 20 per cent of the population will be over 65 years old. These demographic changes have important implications for the planning of future services, some of which have already been taken into account by government, while others are more difficult to predict. One of the elements that has not featured prominently in national discussions about service planning is the future level of alcohol-related problems. If current levels of alcohol consumption amongst the middle aged are maintained, alcohol-related morbidity will become an increasing problem among the older age groups, and current forecasts of the pattern of health and social service requirements will have to be revised.
