OLA study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding the psychosocial needs and trajectories of older adults (>64 years) with alcohol use disorder (AUD) from hospital back into the community
IRAS ID
322969
Contact name
Julia Sinclair
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
In England, the rates of alcohol related admissions for people over the age of 65 has significantly increased over the past decade, but little is known about the reasons why older adults drink alcohol and how this may interact with other social factors.
The aim of this study is to understand the characteristics of older adults with alcohol use disorder (AUD), and explore what happens to them in the six months following a hospital admission. The study also aims to explore the nature of social networks of this population and the links between AUD and loneliness.
Study Design
This study will recruit older people with AUD as assessed by the Alcohol Care Team (ACT) at University Hospital Southampton (40% of people seen by the ACT are over the age of 65).
A longitudinal observational design will be used, meaning that people in the study will be asked by the research team to complete questionnaires following admission into hospital and after discharge. This will include questions about alcohol use, food intake, mental and physical health, loneliness, their social network and feelings of individual and collective efficacy. These will be collected by the research team at baseline and 3- and 6-months post-discharge. Health service use data will also be collected for the year pre- and post-admission.
A selection of participants, who have given their permission to be contacted, will be invited to take part in an interview. This will include creating a visual map of their social network and then talking about the relationships with the people around them, and how this might have changed over time.
The results from this study will be used to design specific ways to help older people with AUD.REC name
West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/WM/0080
Date of REC Opinion
16 May 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion