Generally, alcohol consumption declines with age and the proportion of non-drinkers increases. The reasons for this decline in consumption are presumably connected to changes in life circumstances and attitudes and, in the later middle aged and older, growing ill health. There is evidence that today’s population of elderly people may be relatively heavier drinkers than previous generations. This could be the result of an effect whereby a generation which has had its formative years at a time of high social availability and acceptability of alcohol may be more likely to retain the habit of drinking. Higher levels of disposable income in retirement could also be a factor. Certainly,.
