Understanding the Elderly Alcoholic

Journal/Book: British Journal of Music Therapy. 1980; 11: Herfortshire, UK. British Society for Music Therapy 69 Avondale Avenue East Barnet EN4 8NB Hertfordshire UK. l0-l6.

Abstract: This article examines the unique problems of the elderly alcoholic, and implications for music therapy practice. The author first examines the number of elderly afflicted with this problem and then looks at certain distinguishing characteristcs of the elderly alcoholic. These include; the hidden nature of the problem, decreased physiological tolerance and health concerns, the double stigma of advanced age and alcoholism, the lack of services for elderly alcoholics, ractive and primary factors and the polydrug phenomenon. The author concludes with some remarks about the relevance of music therapy to this group of people.

Keyword(s): elderly, alcoholic, polydrug, surveys, stigma, minority group, isolation.

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