Alcohol Abuse in the Elderly

My husband's dementia confused brain has allowed for some new strategies in tackling the alcohol use in our household. It is a daily struggle.

Caring for my husband with dementia is complicated by his drinking. Charlie drinks wine to drown his sorrows, making his dementia worse and causing him to fall. But things have changed for the better since I decided to put my foot down.

Family members are often forced to decide between giving in to what a senior wants (or demands) and doing what is best for them. A veteran caregiver offers her tips for recognizing the difference between helping and enabling a loved one.

Age-related changes in the body, chronic health conditions, prescription medications and other factors can magnify the effects of alcohol consumption and jeopardize a senior’s health.

Alcohol can affect the elderly in different, more profound ways than it effects younger people. Unfortunately, Charlie enjoys wine a little bit too much.

Depression, nutritional deficiencies, and side effects from medications are among many reversible conditions that could be mistaken for dementia.

Older adults often conceal or downplay things like falls, money troubles, elder abuse and car accidents so they can continue living independently. Most family members only learn of these longstanding issues once they're too severe to hide.