Although studies of the general population show that the elderly have fewer alcohol-related problems, clinical studies paint a darker picture. Estimates of the percentage of older persons in hospitals or other health care facilities who evidence illness or other serious consequences of alcohol abuse range from 7.5 to 70 percent. Apparently, problems with alcohol do not necessarily decrease with age, and many such problems are not easily identified outside a hospital or other treatment setting. There is continuing evidence of the phenomenon called "late- onset" alcoholism. In a clinical study, at least 41 percent of the people 65 years old and older who were enrolled in a Mayo Clinic alcoholism treatment program reported symptoms of alcoholism that began after age 60. There is evidence that some people may increase their consumption of alcohol as a response to age-related stresses. Once an alcohol problem is identified in an elderly patient, there are special issues to consider; there is an increased risk for drug interactions, since older alcoholics have a high incidence of illnesses and problems not caused by alcohol and which require medication. Even though alcohol abuse or alcoholism may be more difficult to diagnose in older patients, it is worth the additional effort to identify and treat them. 23 references