November issue of Age and Ageing journal out now

The November 2014 issue of Age and Ageing, the journal of the British Geriatrics Society is out now.

A full table of contents is available here, with editorials, research papers, reviews, short reports, case reports book reviews and more. Hot topics this issue include:

• Guidelines for management of frailty
• Systematic review on sarcopaenia
• Inappropriate drug use in older people
• Co-morbidities in dementia
• Cost-effectiveness of telecare

The Editor’s View can be read here.

This issue’s free access papers are:

• Best practice guidelines for the management of frailty: a British Geriatrics Society, Age UK and Royal College of General Practitioners report

• Cost-effectiveness of telecare for people with social care needs: the Whole Systems Demonstrator cluster randomised trial
• Prevalence of and interventions for sarcopenia in ageing adults: a systematic review. Report of the International Sarcopenia Initiative (EWGSOP and IWGS)

Too old to drink? At risk drinking in over-75s

Prof Margda Waern, psychiatrist and professor at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg

Health benefits related to mild to moderate alcohol consumption include better cardiac and cerebrovascular health, decreased risk of dementia and improved quality of life. This might help to explain why we are nowadays less likely to discontinue drinking as we age. There may, however, be a down side. Over-consumption of alcohol can increase risk of cognitive impairment, self-neglect and falls. Considering this, it is surprising that we know so little about the extent to which older people engage in potentially harmful drinking.