Over time, drinking alcohol with regularity can cause some serious health issues. As we age, the impact is compounded. Things that might not have been issues when we were younger can become serious health impairments. Regular alcohol use can lead to liver disease, cancer, and other very serious issues. The older someone is, the more serious these issues can become. As the years pass, it becomes harder and harder for the body’s immune system to keep up with these health issues.
In addition to these things, there are a number of short term changes that occur when it comes to alcohol. Because of hormonal changes in the body, tolerance for alcohol appears to decrease as the body ages. This is true even for those that only drink every once in a while. As the body ages, it becomes more difficult for the body to process alcohol and there’s a heavier impact on coordination and judgment. In other words, it takes fewer drinks to have the same impact on one’s ability to get “drunk.” For those that are unaware of this, this could lead to disastrous results and increase the risk of accident, injury, or death.
There is a time and a place for alcohol, depending on the person drinking its health background and history of addiction or alcoholism. However, in moderation, a couple drinks here and there can be okay for some people. There are also well-documented health benefits to drinking certain types of alcohol, especially red wine. But even with these benefits in place, it is still recommended that fewer than seven drinks are consumed per week and no more than two drinks per day.
If you have questions about alcohol and how it might impact you or an elderly loved one please contact a medical professional. Everyone’s situation is a little bit different and a trusted doctor can help give you the pointed advice necessary for your unique situation.
Every family has a slightly different situation, after all. That’s why it’s important to go beyond the basics and generalities of aging and look at what is necessary for your family to do what’s needed to thrive. Besides consulting with a doctor, it’s also important to get the targeted care advice necessary to ensure that your loved one’s day to day needs are adequately met.
If you’re not sure of where or how to start the care search, please know that we’re here for you. We’d love to sit down and talk about what we do and how it might benefit your family. Perhaps in-home care is the ideal solution for your family, and if it is, we’d love to provide it for you. But maybe it’s not. In that case, we can help point you toward the resources that will be best for you. There are care solutions out there for everyone.
Senior care, and the journey to find it, can often be a tough process. But you have resources on your side. We can be one of those for you. Please don’t hesitate to get connected.
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