As the holidays approach, many seniors find themselves wondering what the best practices are for drinking and alcohol consumption. While it's important to enjoy oneself during the holiday season, it's also important to be safe and moderate in one's alcohol consumption, especially if one is a senior citizen.
If you plan to drink alcohol on New Year's Eve or any other holiday, keep in mind the following recommendations:
1. Limit Your Alcohol Intake
As we age, our bodies become less able to process and metabolize alcohol. This can lead to a number of problems, including an increased risk of developing certain chronic diseases. Seniors should be especially cautious of drinking too much alcohol, as it can increase their risk of falls, dehydration, and other health problems.
Be aware of how much alcohol you can safely consume based on your age, weight, and overall health. Older adults should have no more than one standard drink per day. A standard drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor.
2. Avoid Drinking on an Empty Stomach
Drinking on an empty stomach can have a much more pronounced effect on seniors than it does on younger people. For that reason, it's generally best for seniors to avoid drinking alcohol without first having a meal.
If you choose to drink, be sure to eat something first and drink plenty of water. Eating food will help slow the absorption of alcohol into your system.
3. Avoid Mixing Alcohol with Other Medications
Alcohol can also interact with many medications, both prescription and over-the-counter. These interactions can cause serious side effects, including bleeding, high blood pressure, and heart problems.
Because of these risks, seniors should be aware of the potential dangers of mixing alcohol with other medications. If you're taking any medications, be sure to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the risks of drinking alcohol.
4. Drink Plenty of Water
One of the most important things seniors can do to protect their health when drinking alcohol is to ensure they drink plenty of water. They should aim to drink eight glasses of water daily, even if they are not drinking alcohol.
Water helps you stay hydrated, flush alcohol out of the system, and reduce the negative effects of alcohol on your body. Staying hydrated can also help to prevent a hangover the next day.
5. Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Seniors tend to get intoxicated quickly and at lower levels of alcohol consumption than when they were younger. This can be dangerous as they are more likely to fall and hurt themselves when they are drunk. They are also more likely to be taken advantage of or to get into arguments or fights.
For these reasons, it's important for seniors to be aware of their surroundings when they are drinking alcohol and ensure they are not putting themselves at risk.
Hire In-home Senior Care Services So Your Senior Loved One Can Enjoy the Holidays Safely
There are many advantages of in-home senior care services for seniors who drink alcohol. These services can help seniors stay safe and comfortable while they continue to enjoy their favorite beverages.
Another advantage is that in-home care services can provide seniors with transportation to and from alcohol outlets, as well as help with stocking their homes with their favorite drinks. Caregivers can also help seniors stay hydrated by providing them with water and other non-alcoholic beverages.
If your loved one stays in Rock Hill, Chester, York, or Clover, you should consider hiring the in-home senior care services that Senior Helpers provides. By hiring our services, your senior loved one will stay safe as they get to enjoy their favorite drinks during New Year's Eve.
Contact us today to find out how our in-home senior care services can benefit the seniors in your life.