Seniors and Alcohol: Things to Consider About Alcohol Abuse

Victoria Senior Health  |  May 21, 2019

What Every Family Needs to Consider About Seniors and Alcohol Abuse

Seniors and Alcohol | Having a cocktail or a glass of wine 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.

#DYK – As many as 10% of older adults begin abusing alcohol after reaching the age of 65?

Facts About Seniors and Alcohol:

• 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.

At Comfort Keepers® Victoria we feel that home is the best place to be.

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help with 24-hour care, senior care, companionship care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, palliative care, personal care, senior living transition services, and much more! 

Comfort Keepers® Victoria Provides In-Home Elderly Care Services

Comfort Keepers® trained caregivers help provide senior clients with the highest quality of life possible to keep them happy and healthy at home. Our Interactive Caregiving™ provides a system of care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Comfort Keepers® Victoria In-Home Caregivers Can Help with Interactive Caregiving™

Our philosophy is to elevate the human spirit and our caregivers will be there every step of the way to ensure your loved one has a better quality of life. Personal and empathetic care is care that starts in the heart, and it allows us to meet our client’s exact needs. Learn more about our unique service which offers personal care, companionship care, palliative care, and end-of-life care by contacting the Comfort Keepers Victoria office.

Comfort Keepers® Victoria is proud to provide senior care and home care services to keep seniors safe in their homes.

If you are searching for home care near me, Comfort Keepers® Victoria can provide home care for the seniors of Victoria and the surrounding areas of Colwood, Saanich, Sidney, James Bay, and Oak Bay. Please call (778) 265-5999 and learn how your loved ones can receive compassionate, professional in-home care.

Comfort Keepers® Victoria has been accredited with Exemplary Standing with Accreditation Canada. Accreditation is an intensive process in which an organization’s processes, policies, and procedures are examined by industry experts against a set of quality standards. To achieve accredited status, Comfort Keepers offices met or exceeded the rigorous standards for Home Care companies, as defined by Accreditation Canada.

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