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Problem drinking among residents of a VA nursing home
Author(s) -
Joseph Carol L.,
Atkinson Roland M.,
Ganzini Linda
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.930100311
Subject(s) - veterans affairs , nursing homes , medicine , intervention (counseling) , gerontology , family medicine , nursing
The authors conducted a retrospective study of problem drinking among persons admitted to a Veterans Affairs Nursing Home Care Unit (VA NHCU). Lifetime problem drinking was prevalent in 36% of admissions, two‐thirds of whom had active alcohol problems. Problem drinkers were younger and less often currently married than NHCU residents without alcohol problems. Forty‐seven per cent of persons with active alcohol problems returned to independent living. The results suggest that VA NHCUs may be an important transition between hospital and home for elderly patients with alcohol problems, affording an opportunity for identification and intervention.