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In the know: Alcohol and the elderly

Stressed Out Nurses Weekly, October 13, 2009

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 Many family members, friends, and nurses overlook problem drinking in older adults. Sometimes it is mistaken for other conditions, such as signs of dementia. You need to be alert for problem drinking in the elderly because the aging process affects how the body metabolizes alcohol. The same amount of alcohol can have a greater effect as a person grows older. In addition, certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure, ulcers, and diabetes, can worsen with alcohol use.

Using alcohol with medications can become dangerous for the older adult. When taking care of older adults who may have a drinking problem, it's important to keep in mind:

• Aspiring and other medications can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding
• Many cold and allergy preparations cause drowsiness The combinations of these and alcohol may cause excessive drowsiness.
• Both alcohol and many over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen are metabolized in the liver. As the number of medication a person takes increases, the chances of overtaxing the liver increases.

To learn more, read HCPro's book, Stressed Out About Difficult Patients.

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