Reducing alcohol intake is one of those pieces of medical advice that is often thrown around, especially for those that might be overweight, have underlying health issues, or have had mental health problems in the past. And while this is good advice for a lot of us, research is showing that there actually might be some benefits to light alcohol use.
At least that’s what a newly published research article is saying about alcohol use and the elderly. The research focused on adults that were 70 years or older and was based out of both the U.S. and Australia. More than 18,000 people were looked at during this study. They found that those who had between 3.5 and 7 drinks during the course of a week were less likely to suffer from heart disease. During the course of the study, they also found that those that fit into this category were also less likely to die from any cause when compared to those that did not drink at all.
Research was led by a team from Monash University. They published their findings in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
Now, this is not a blank check to drink as much as you’d like. There are still very real health issues that can come from alcohol consumption, both regarding physical and mental health. Most of us would stand to have a few drinks less per week. However, the occasional drink for the average individual might actually have some benefits to it, according to this new line of research. We’ve known that there are benefits to red wine for quite some time, but this study looked beyond this. If you have questions or concerns about this topic, it’s always best to speak with a medical professional before making any changes to your lifestyle.
Additionally, this study implies that the older individuals that are consuming alcohol are doing it in moderation. This likely means that they have been doing so all, or at least most, of their lives. Because of this, this population is a lot less likely to see the harmful effects that are brought about by excessive, long term alcohol consumption.
Regardless, a healthy lifestyle is important for a high quality of life as we live. There are a lot of educational materials out there that can help you figure out what this looks like for you and your family, but ideally, you will incorporate this into a loved one’s care if they need further assistance.
This is why in-home care can be such a blessing. Not only does it meet your loved one where they are, but it also always for everyone in your family to more closely follow the traditions and practices that they are accustomed to. It helps loved ones to continue to follow the routines that are such an important part of their lifestyle. Healthy practices, exercise, socialization, hobbies, and more don’t have to be sacrificed because of a relocation.
In-home care isn’t perfect for everyone and sometimes other types of care are more suited for someone’s needs. But if you’d like to learn more about how this might benefit your family, we’d love to talk more.
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