What Do Seniors Need to Know About Alcohol and Aging?

An alcoholic beverage now and again may not be the worst thing for seniors, but the reality is that alcohol can have different impacts on seniors as they continue to age. Alcohol may be more dangerous along with some medications seniors could be taking, and seniors may start to rely on alcohol more than they realize. Home care providers can offer seniors the support they need to manage changes they experience related to alcohol and aging.

 

Alcohol and Medications

Seniors may not realize it, but medications can interact badly with alcohol, even if they only drink what feels like a small amount. Antihistamines, even over-the-counter versions, may make seniors drowsier or dizzier than they might normally feel. Acetaminophen and alcohol can cause liver damage. And prescription anxiety medication, pain prescriptions, and sleeping pills can have much more severe impacts on seniors if they’re also drinking alcohol along with them.

Home care providers can help seniors remember to limit or reduce alcohol intake if they experience severe side effects.

 

Moderating Alcohol Intake Makes a Difference

When seniors are more open to talking about alcohol intake and how it affects them, they’re better able to avoid potential issues in just about every area of their lives. For example, seniors are less likely to experience balance issues that can lead to a fall. They also may have fewer issues with unexpected memory loss or difficulty with simple daily tasks.

Getting used to making changes like reducing or completely avoiding alcohol can be more difficult than seniors expect, though, so it’s important for them to talk with their doctors. Home care providers can help seniors moderate alcohol consumption.

 

Alcohol Effects Change with Age

Over time, seniors may find that they feel the effects of alcohol more prominently than they ever did before. This can happen because of health issues, medications they take, or simply because of aging. Without increasing the amount of alcohol they drink, seniors may find that they’re more sensitive to alcohol.

These changes are dangerous because seniors may be more likely to have an accident or to experience a fall. Because alcohol is a depressant, seniors may also find that they are more sensitive emotionally to alcohol.

 

Talk to Medical Providers About Alcohol Use

Too much alcohol over a period of time may cause liver damage, immune system damage, and even brain damage. Recent studies also point to alcohol possibly contributing to some types of cancer. Seniors who already battle health issues like diabetes and high blood pressure may find it more difficult to control these health conditions if they drink even moderate amounts of alcohol regularly.

Talking to their medical providers about their alcohol usage is a good idea for seniors, because that information helps doctors and other specialists give seniors more accurate diagnoses and help.

 

As seniors understand more about how alcohol affects their daily lives, they may be more open to the idea of cutting back. Home care providers can offer seniors support with daily tasks and staying on target with other health-related goals, like eating healthy meals and getting plenty of sleep.

 

 

 

If you or an aging loved one is considering Home Care in Centerville, VA, please contact the caring staff at Thrive Health Care Services today. (703) 992-0484