Drinking too much alcohol can have negative physical and mental health consequences, including heart and liver problems, memory issues, and mood disorders, an increased risk of cancer, and a weakened immune system. Age-related changes in the body place older adults who drink alcohol at additional risk.

Older adults have increased sensitivity to the effects of alcohol because they typically metabolize alcohol more slowly. Lean body mass also declines with age, and with less muscle to absorb alcohol, older adults feel the effects of alcohol more quickly, even with the consumption of lower amounts than when they were younger. Older women are at higher risk of these effects compared with older men. Combined with other physical changes in the body due to age, older adults who drink alcohol are susceptible to falls, bone fractures, and other unintentional injuries. 

Alcohol Abuse and Medication

The number of problems associated with the interaction of alcohol and prescription drugs is growing among older adults and is cause for concern. Many people do not understand that aging affects how the body responds to medications and alcohol. Often, families and even health care providers confuse the effects of alcohol use for senility, dementia, depression, or other symptoms more common to aging. 

Workshop Goals

• Discussion of the prevalence of alcohol abuse and drinking patterns in seniors.

• Effects of mixing alcohol with commonly used prescription medications for seniors.

• Effects of alcohol use on common aging issues - behaviorally, physiologically, and cognitively.

• Signs that a senior is abusing alcohol.

• How family members can discuss this with the senior who is abusing alcohol.

• Plans to stop alcohol use and support services available.

• Finding alternatives to drinking alcohol.

• How seniors can speak with other seniors who might have an issue with alcohol.

Presenter

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Don Drake (LADC I) retired | Connelly Law Offices

Offices in Pawtucket, RI, Mystic, CT, and Martha's Vineyard, MA

1-401-724-9400

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