Association of psychoactive substance use with health and care in older adults

Abstract

Background. The use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs have a significant impact on the daily lives of older adults. In order to study the relationship between substance use, health and care variables in older adults.

Method. Information was collected in a random sample of the registry users of the DF IAAM program; 2098 people agreed to participate and was interviewed in their homes, the response rate obtained was 83.9%.

Results and discussion. It was found that 13.1% receive aid in basic and instrumental activities of daily living, 81.4% perceived little social support, 82.2% perceived belonging to a dysfunctional family and 45.5% have been diagnosed with a chronic degenerative disease. Using odds ratios, it was shown that at-risk drinking and alcohol dependence increased the risk of chronic degenerative diseases, infectious and mental disorders and affects the need for support in basic and instrumental activities of daily living and perception of family dysfunction. Smoking increased risk of chronic degenerative and infectious diseases and also was associated with perceived health and family support. The use of any illegal or prescribed drugs was not significantly associated with care variables, but affect chronic degenerative diseases and mental disorders. The results of this study showed that use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs affect the health and care of older adults in Mexico City, so it is urgent to address these problems in order to improve their quality of life.