NSW Seniors Festival

The NSW Seniors Festival, the southern hemisphere’s largest celebration of seniors, returns in February with an extensive 12-day calendar of live performances, workshops, talks and much more. It is an opportunity to celebrate together and provide seniors with a range of programs across the state to empower and support them in leading happy, healthy and fulfilling lives.

Adopting a moderate approach to alcohol intake is crucial to a healthy lifestyle, and this becomes increasingly important as we age. Older people have an increased risk of alcohol-related harm due to changing physiology and a reduced ability to metabolise alcohol. This increases risk of alcohol-associated harms such as falls, car accidents, suicides and mental health issues, chronic diseases and cancer.

Australia’s population is ageing, with older Australians (aged 65 and over) representing more than 16% of the total population. This trend is expected to continue into the future, making it more important than ever to start a conversation about healthy attitudes to alcohol.

Breaking the habit

Concerned about the drinking habits of yourself or a loved one? Here are some tips to help break the habit:

• Know your standards: According to research from the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE), only 53% of Australians aged 50 and over were aware of the Australian Alcohol Guidelines. These guidelines, produced by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), inform Australians of the health risks of drinking alcohol. It is recommended that adults drink no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than 4 standard drinks on any one day. Learn more about standard drinks here.

• Assess your risk: Unsure if you’re drinking too much? The Alcohol Assessment Risk Tool, on the Your Room website, is a simple online tool which analyses and assesses the risk level associated with your drinking habits. Take the online assessment here.

• Track and reduce your alcohol intake: The Drinks Meter app is a free app allowing you to track your alcohol intake, the amount of calories you are drinking, how much you are spending on alcohol and set weekly goals to reduce and stay healthy. Learn more about the Drinks Meter app here.

• Make it a mocktail: Mocktails are a fun and refreshing alternative to alcohol, great for parties and other social events. Drug Info has a range of delicious, literary themed mocktail recipes that make the perfect substitute. Find a great mocktail recipe here.

• Get Healthy: The Get Healthy Alcohol Reduction program is designed to support you to make healthy lifestyle changes and reduce your alcohol consumption. The NSW Get Healthy Service is available Mon – Fri 8am – 8pm. Call 1300 806 258 or register online. 

Need help with a drug or alcohol issue?

You can call the Alcohol Drug Information Service (ADIS) for support, information, advice, crisis counselling and referral to services in NSW.

Phone: 1800 422 599