Elderly alcoholism is a real and fairly common issue. Many aging adults drink to forget about problems, calm their nerves, or alleviate depression. Although having a light social drink from time to time may not be problematic, routine and excessive drinking can take its toll at this stage of life. As people grow older, their bodies start to process alcohol differently. Excessive drinking can also increase the likelihood of diabetes, hypertension, and many other serious health conditions. Following are several things you can do to help your senior loved one if he or she has developed a drinking problem.
Identify the Signs of Alcoholism
When seniors drink with the sole intention of altering their moods or forgetting or overcoming problems, this may be a sign of a developing alcoholism issue. Gulping down drinks, hiding alcohol, lying about how much alcohol is being consumed, and regularly having one or more drinks each day are all signs to watch out for. Seniors who have sustained injuries from falls or other physical harm as the result of their drinking are in danger of alcoholism as well. When problems like these exist, ask your loved one’s doctor to recommend local options for treatment and support groups.
Keeping track of what your loved one drinks isn’t always easy. If you’re the primary family caregiver for a senior loved one living in Roseville, live-in care is available if your loved one’s health has become too difficult to manage without professional expertise. At Home Care Assistance, we take measures to help seniors prevent illness and injury by assisting with exercise and mobility, preparing nutritious meals, helping with bathing and other personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
Show Your Concern
Facing a loved one’s alcoholism is difficult at every stage of life. However, adults cannot be forced into treatment. This is a decision your loved one must make voluntarily. To help your loved one start making choices in his or her best interests, it’s important to express your concern and unwillingness to support or overlook a drinking problem any longer. Local counseling services can assist by helping families arrange formal interventions.
Educate Them
Seniors who develop alcoholism often overlook the effects aging has on their ability to tolerate and process alcohol. Talk to your loved one about the potential side effects of pairing alcohol with medications. Share statistics on alcoholism in the elderly and refer to online resources. You can consult with your family doctor as well to obtain additional information for this discussion.
A professional caregiver can be a wonderful source of information and support for your whole family. Though you may be researching multiple agencies that provide homecare services, Home Care Assistance has much to offer your family and your elderly loved one. We are leaders in the senior home care industry, offering proprietary programs like our holistic Balanced Care Method and around-the-clock assistance from reliable, experienced caregivers. Trust Home Care Assistance to help your loved one enjoy a happier and healthier life in the golden years.
Help Them Seek Treatment
It’s important for seniors to take part in supervised alcohol treatment rather than attempting to detox on their own at home. The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be both prolonged and severe, making detoxification dangerous for seniors without the aid of trained medical professionals. Once your loved one has made a commitment to receiving treatment, help him or her identify the necessary resources for a safe and comfortable detoxification process.
If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of senior care. Roseville Home Care Assistance provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives. Call one of our friendly Care Managers at (916) 226-3737 to schedule a free consultation.