Don’t give Gran booze for Xmas

A BOTTLE of sherry is often the go-to Christmas gift for the over-50s.

But health campaigners are calling on people to give their older relatives their ‘company’ rather than booze this year, as statistics reveal drinking among this group is on the increase.

For the first time in recent history, drinkers aged 55 to 64 in England and Scotland consume more alcohol than any other age group. They are also the most likely to exceed weekly consumption guidelines, according to the Drink Wise, Age Well programme. Baroness Hayter, vice chairman of the all-party parliamentary group on the dangers of alcohol, warned the number of older people ‘drinking out of sight’ is increasing, and advised gift givers not to encourage the problem with alcoholic presents. ‘If lack of company is the most important thing, then give them your company, don’t give them booze,’ she told the Sunday Times.