Good for the elderly
Talk to other people who have an alcoholic elderly parent and find out how they manage with the situation. Support groups for family members and friends of alcoholics include Al-Anon, Johnson Intervention, and SMART Recovery Family and Friends, to name a few examples of such organizations.
When it comes to many families, alcohol use is a huge source of tension, and there is no simple solution to dealing with it, especially when a loved one suffers from an alcohol use problem. The most effective method to treat this issue is through calm, sensible, and loving talks, but the senior must be ready to engage and minimize their alcohol use.
Make an appointment with your parent to see the doctor. During the appointment, inquire as to whether there are any potentially dangerous drug interactions between the prescriptions your parent is taking and the alcohol. Numerous elderly persons are prescribed daily drugs, which might be hazardous when combined with alcohol.
The prospect of your elderly parent succumbing to the perils of alcoholism might be a terrifying one. Perhaps you’re beginning to experience a pang of guilt and wonder what you might have done differently to avoid their conduct. It is critical, however, that you do not accept responsibility for your mother or father’s behavior.
While an older adult’s relationship with alcohol may not have changed as a result of this, their perception of alcohol may have changed. Use behaviors linked with major health hazards, such as binge drinking and excessive alcohol consumption, are prevalent among the senior population.
Excessive use of alcoholic beverages in older persons can cause balance issues and falls, which can result in hip or arm fractures and other serious injuries.Older individuals have thinner bones than younger people, which means that their bones are more prone to breaking than younger people.According to research, the prevalence of hip fractures in older persons rises in direct proportion to the amount of alcohol consumed.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has developed particular guidelines for those over the age of 65 who drink alcohol. The total amount of alcohol consumed each week should not exceed seven drinks for those who do not take medication and are in excellent health, according to the CDC.
Making a Game Plan and Knowing What to Say
Here are some recommendations for dealing with the problem.
Those admitted to a hospital for alcohol use disorder have an average life expectancy of 47–53 years (for males) and 50–58 years (for women), and they die on average 24–28 years sooner than the general public.
It is possible that your vision and hearing could decrease, and that your reflexes will lag. This type of shift might cause you to feel dizzy, elevated, or inebriated even after just a modest amount of alcohol has been consumed. As a result, older persons are more prone than younger people to be involved in falls, traffic crashes, or other types of accidents that are caused by alcohol.
What is a reasonable quantity to consume? The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism recommends that adults over the age of 65 who are healthy and do not take any medications limit their alcohol consumption to no more than 7 drinks per week. On any given day, no more than one or two drinks are permitted.
Loss of identity, coping with physical and psychological problems, an overarching societal and social culture surrounding alcohol, and the interrelationship between social life, alcohol use, and heavy drinking are all important factors that must be addressed clinically and preventively, with a particular emphasis on individuals who are heavy drinkers.
Patterns of Alcohol Consumption in the Later Years of Life A high-risk drinking pattern, according to the American Geriatrics Society, is defined as more than three drinks on heavier drinking occasions or more than seven drinks per week for persons 65 and older.
Alcoholics exhibit a number of common behaviors.Neglecting obligations, such as failing to report to work or failing to fulfill childcare tasks.They are not taking care of their personal appearance and cleanliness.Taking part in activities that are reckless, dangerous, or unlawful.Finding justifications to consume alcoholic beverages, which can range from being stressed to wanting to rejoice.
Some people:
Instead of stating, ″You’re an alcoholic, and you need to seek assistance right away,″ you might say, ″I love you, and you’re extremely important to me. Please get help.″ The amount of alcohol you consume concerns me, and I believe it may be detrimental to your health.″ Prepare yourself for any and all possible responses.
How to deal with a family member who has a drinking issue
How to Deal with Guests Who Are Drunk
Although alcohol can be used as an excuse for bad behavior in some situations, seeing that you and your spouse regularly dispute when you are drunk may indicate that there are underlying issues in your relationship to address. It is preferable to confront the issue of alcohol in your relationship when both of you are sober, if it is harming it.