Things to Consider If You Believe Your Senior Parent is Abusing Alcohol

Uncategorized  |  May 21, 2019

Having a cocktail or a glass of wine every now and again is not likely to hurt anyone, this includes most seniors. However, this is not a blanket statement that covers everyone. Some seniors should abstain from alcohol completely while others have even begun to abuse it. Going forward, it is important for you to be able to recognize signs of alcohol abuse in your senior loved one and understand the effect it has on an older body.

As many as 10% of older adults begin abusing alcohol after reaching the age of 65:

• As we age, our metabolism slows down. This process begins sometime during our 20s and continues throughout our lives. One of the effects of this slowdown is the fact that our body processes alcohol much slower when we become seniors. This means alcohol stays in our body for longer.
• When a senior is intoxicated, they feel different than younger people. Seniors have a much lower tolerance for alcohol.
• Seniors will become intoxicated more quickly and the effects of alcohol will last longer.
• Alcohol can make certain chronic health conditions worse and damage one’s internal organs.

You may be suspecting alcohol abuse in your senior loved one. One of the best ways to tell is to observe their behavior. If they are increasingly ill-tempered, have trouble sleeping, have injured themselves while intoxicated, have a drink or two or more when they feel sad or lonely, are eating less and less, are starting to avoid social situations and gatherings, and their hygiene has started to become very poor, they may be abusing alcohol.

It is better to speak to your loved one sooner than later. Reach out to other family members and find the best way to ensure your loved one starts on the road to recovery.

If you think you may be in need of professional assistance, we can be there for you. Comfort Keepers has a staff of compassionate caregivers in Victoria, BC. We can work with you and your loved one to create a support system that will help them lead a healthier life. Give us a call today to find out more.

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