Portland Home Care - Guardian Angel Caregivers in Portland OR gives family members tips on helping yourself be a better family caregiver. If you need help caring for an elder or senior in your family, please call us at (503) 698-2020.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise to seniors or senior care experts that drinking too much alcohol is bad for older adults, but studies also show that moderate amounts can have its benefits. It’s crucial to a senior’s health and well-being that home care experts and family caregivers understand both the positive and negatives for alcohol consumption to ensure that the senior receives only the highest level of elder care. Medical professionals cannot always readily detect alcohol abuse in a senior, but those providing home care are in a position to understand a senior’s routines and help encourage positive actions.
Positives
• Health benefits may exist for older adults who consume one alcoholic beverage per day if they are female, or up to two drinks as males
• Heart disease – those 50 and older who drink alcohol in moderation are less likely to have heart attacks or face premature death than those who drink heavily or abstain completely
• Diabetes – alcohol helps improves insulin sensitivity
• Dementia – moderate consumption of wine (not beer) reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia
• Psychosocial Effects – moderate alcohol consumption increases social interactions, health related quality of life and survival
• Nutrition – alcohol with meals can help increase a senior’s appetite and helps them consume the calories and nutrients needed
Negatives
• Blood alcohol levels increase more quickly in older adults
• Excessive consumption of alcohol can cause issues with balance, a decline in short-term memory, worsening of existing health problems and cause negative interactions with medications
• Not easily detected – the medical profession has not yet grown substantially concerned about the effects of alcohol upon senior care.
