According to a new study, one in five people over 65 years old drink "unsafe" level of alcohol.
BBC reports researchers from King's College London found out that the elderly people drink more than the recommended amount of alcohol, which could lead to dangerous risks including confusion and falls.
Analyzing health records of 27,991 people over 65 living in London, 9,248 people were reported to have been drinking alcohol and 21% drank more that what was advised. According to the national guidelines, elderly women should consume less than 15 units of alcohol in one week, and less than 22 units for elderly men.
Data also shows that elderly male drinkers tend to consume heavier amounts. Out of the 60% male alcohol drinkers, 65% consumed higher units than recommended - drinking an average of 49 units a week.
Overconsumption of alcohol isn't strange for elderly women as well, with 5% of female drinkers consuming an average of 23 units a week.
Researchers added that unsafe drinking is more common to white British and Irish people than those who belong in African, Asian and Caribbean races.
According to author of the study, Dr. Mark Ashworth, a general practitioner (GP) and primary care researcher, elderly people have higher rates in unsafe alcohol consumption than the general population. His group added that GPs are in fact "less attuned" to this elderly issue.
"Very few GPs are switched on to the idea that their older patients could be drinking at these levels - we all look out for it in younger patients, but we are less attuned to it in the elderly," Dr. Ashworth told BBC. "What is uncertain from this study is whether people are drinking alone, or with friends at home, or down the pub."
Faculty of Public Health alcohol spokesman and professor, Mark Bellis suggests alcohol manufacturers should display clear health warnings on their products.
"It's easy for people to slip into a routine of drinking half a bottle of wine a night without knowing it increases their risks of health problems such as cancer and can take years off their life span," he said. "Having this information is especially important for older drinkers so that they can make informed decisions about their alcohol consumption at a time of life when risks of ill health often increase."
