Motivational Strategies with Alcohol-Involved Older Adults: Implications for Social Work Practice‪.‬

Alcohol abuse by older adults is a hidden problem, frequently overlooked by professionals, family members, and others (Joseph & Harvath, 1998). Alcohol-related problems among older adults are addressed infrequently in gerontological and addictions literature. Few studies have examined predictors and correlates of alcohol abuse among elderly people. Fewer have investigated the efficacy of early identification, outreach, and assistance strategies. The dearth of information is particularly apparent in the social work literature. Interest in identifying and assisting older problem drinkers has increased. Yet, given the current state of knowledge, social workers and other health care professionals have few empirically validated assistance strategies to guide their work. Thus, they must creatively infuse clinical experience with knowledge derived from available research to respond to this group of vulnerable clients. This article presents an integrative approach for reaching out to and engaging aging problem drinkers and encouraging them to recognize that they have alcohol-related difficulties and to seek assistance. It builds on two conceptual approaches from the addictions field--motivational readiness to change and motivational interviewing (Miller & Rollnick, 2002; Prochaska, DiClemente, & Norcross, 1992)--and ecologically based social work practice principles.