Alcohol problems can occur with adults of any age. Generally speaking, the older generation doesn’t drink as much as the younger but drinking troubles can still arise. Because an adult’s body changes with time and there can be some other health problems that exist and medications to take, alcohol use concurrent with the medications can cause difficult medical situations.
It may not be commonly known, but people become more sensitive to the effects of alcohol as they age. They metabolize the alcohol at a slower rate which means it actually stays in their body and bloodstream for a longer time.
Drinking can cause health problems when it’s done to excess. It can also worsen other health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, liver problems, congestive heart failure and memory problems. If an adult is experiencing a major depression they are also more likely to have alcohol problems.
Make sure your loved one’s doctor is aware of any drinking problems. Many medications don’t mix very well with alcohol and the doctor can give your loved one some good advice.
Find out what is going on in your loved one’s life. Has alcohol use increased lately? Maybe there are some problems your loved one isn’t talking about and instead they are turning to alcohol to numb the pain. It could be a physical problem or it could be loneliness or loss of purpose.
A home care provider can help in a number of ways. If your loved one is struggling with personal care but doesn’t want to admit it because they will feel helpless, having a caregiver come in a few times a week can really help them out. Personal care such as bathing, hair care, hygiene, dressing and more can be assisted by the caregiver. Home care may also be a source of stress for your loved one. If they are unable to keep up the house work it can be very frustrating.
Companionship is a big asset for your elder. A home care provider is there to talk to, play games with, do activities with and provide transportation when they want to go do errands, go grocery shopping, and go to senior activities. Companions become trusted friends. Having someone close by to talk to all the time is the best way to alleviate loneliness.
If you can’t seem to talk to your loved one or they are reluctant to open up to you, consider getting them some professional help. Perhaps something in their past is eating away at them and they just need someone to talk to. Don’t take it personally if they don’t confide in you. They may not want to burden you. Sometimes it’s easier to confide in a friend or stranger than in a close family member.
If you have a loved one who could benefit from the help of caregivers in River Oaks, TX contact the caregivers at At Your Side Home Care. We help seniors and their families with many levels of home care service. Call (832) 271-1600 for more information.
Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.
Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week
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