Alcohol Use and Seniors: What is a Healthy Balance?

Vancouver Senior Home Care  |  June 12, 2020

What Every Senior in Vancouver, BC, Needs to Know About Alcohol Use

Alcohol Use and Seniors | Many of us don’t shy away from the occasional cocktail with a friend or the glass of wine with dinner, and for those seniors with proper doctor’s approval, this need not change them either. However, it’s crucial to be aware of how alcohol can physically and mentally affect elderly adults, and how those signs of alcohol abuse can look different with seniors.

Alcohol Use and Seniors: When Changes As We Age?

• The way we process alcohol changes – Our metabolisms slow down when we get older, and this means that alcohol stays in our blood for a longer period. This means that the effects last longer.
• Intoxication feels different – It’s no secret that older adults will have lower tolerances for alcohol, which means that the effects of alcohol can come about much more quickly and rapidly.
• Seniors are likely to have conditions made worse by alcohol use – Seniors may have conditions that are exacerbated by alcohol use, and often their medication cannot be mixed with alcohol.

While some seniors may discuss with their doctors what their situation is and find that they are fit to consume alcohol, many that don’t may find an array of the signs and symptoms

Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Use in Seniors:

• Feelings of agitation when not drinking
• Lying about drinking habits
• Social or financial problems as a result of alcohol abuse
• Loss of appetite
• Drinking to combat feelings of depression or anxiety

There are many programs out there that specifically cater to seniors and alcohol, and studies have found that these sorts of programs are more effective when they target a specific age group. If you think someone has a drinking problem, you should encourage them to seek out help.

The Best Senior Home Care Provider in Vancouver, BC, is Comfort Keepers®

Many families prefer Comfort Keepers® when arranging senior home care services for a loved one in or around Vancouver, British Columbia. 

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones, we can help with 24-hour care. Comfort Keepers Vancouver also provides home care services like respite care, overnight care, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care, personal care, and more! 

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver Can Help with Companion Care and Interactive Caregiving™

Personal and empathetic care starts in the heart and allows us to meet our clients’ needs. Comfort Keeper’s philosophy is to elevate the human spirit, and our caregivers ensure your loved one experiences a better quality of life.

Trained caregivers help provide our senior clients with personal home care to help maintain the highest possible quality of life, keeping them happy and healthy at home. Our Interactive Caregiving™ delivers a system of care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Bring The Best Home Care Assistance for Seniors Right Where You Live with Comfort Keepers®

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver is proud to provide elder care in homes throughout Vancouver, keeping seniors safe in their homes. We provide home care for the seniors of Vancouver and the surrounding areas of Burnaby, Langley, Maple Ridge, and Richmond. Please call (604) 689-8609. 

Personal Care and Senior Homecare in Vancouver, BC

Learn more about our unique service, which offers personal care, companionship care, palliative care, and end-of-life care by contacting the Comfort Keepers® Vancouver office.

Accredited and Quality Respite Care Available 24/7 for British Columbia Families

Accreditation Canada has awarded Comfort Keepers® Vancouver with Exemplary Standing. This designation is only achieved after an organization’s policies, procedures, and processes undergo a thorough evaluation by industry experts to ensure they meet or exceed the stringent quality standards set by Accreditation Canada for Home Care companies.

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