Perceptions of food choices of people aged 50 and over in contact with a specialist drug service: a pilot qualitative interview study

Abstract

Background: The number of people who use illicit drugs as they age is rising; older drug treatment patients experience a range of long-term conditions at a young age. Diet is important for healthy ageing; ensuring that an older person’s diet meets minimum dietary requirements is a valuable intervention. The aim was to undertake a pilot investigation into the diet of 10 people aged 50 and over in contact with a specialist drug service and to ascertain whether body mass index (BMI) is monitored.

Results: Generally, interviewees had stable accommodation and relationships. Illicit drug use was relatively low. Interviewees described experiencing a range of health conditions. While two interviewees described good diets, the others described diets that were generally poor and reasons for this included economic constraints, dental problems and disease-related loss of appetite. Frequently, interviewees did not cook but chose convenience foods. The majority of interviewees had a healthy BMI. BMI was not routinely monitored by drug service staff.

Conclusion: This pilot investigation shows that older drug service patients largely perceive their diet to be of poor quality. The BMI of older drug users is not routinely monitored and may not be a good proxy for nutritional status.

• Drug use
• ageing
• diet