Projects

Project title: The CO-ACT Study: Developing Support for Older Adults with Alcohol and Mental Health Problems in Community Healthcare

Most older individuals who use alcohol heavily experience linked mental health issues, exacerbated by common stressors in old age. Existing healthcare services struggle to meet their complex needs. The CO-ACT Study aims to understand support needs for older people with co-existing alcohol and mental health problems, and develop approaches to meet these.

Findings so far:

Patients require timely and inclusive access to services, addressing age-related stressors, lifelong mental health conditions, trauma, detox, and peer support. Addressing access barriers including mobility and stigma is crucial. Health professionals require training to identify and address these issues in older people.

Next steps:

1. Identify approaches to address needs in community healthcare, with input from patients and practitioners.
2. Secure funding to trial developed approaches in Northern England.

Find out more

Project lead: [email protected]