Alcohol and the elderly

ExaltedWombat

Gradual embalming from the inside out! Excellent idea. @Pat37, don't be such a prude!

Ha ha! I agree, let's pickle ourselves if we want to!

25Avalon

I hope she isn’t eating wine gums as well. Dad used to say mum got drunk on those.

My mother definitely got drunk on a box of liquor choolates, she never lived it down.

Oh my goodness! There is no hope for me.
And define elderly please.

If she was doing all three, I'd love to see it!
Poledancing, with a spliff on the go, and a big glass of drink too!

Kate1949

If the OP said the person was smoking cannabis, drinking vodka, pole dancing naked, I'd say it was none of her business

I agree. My only concern would be that she might fall off the pole and spill the vodka or give herself a cigarette burn during her routine 😊

My mother lived in a residential care home from age 94 until she died aged 101.
She always had a bottle of whisky and a bottle of brandy in her room.
We had to tell the staff when we took it and I think perhaps they checked the levels but I don’t know.
She always had a “tot” in her morning cuppa as I think did others of her generation.
I think the brandy was for when she felt a bit under the weather.
We didn’t replace that very often.
She was sound in mind thought not in limb until a week or so before she died.
I follow her example although I am more of a Gin and wine girl.

Many very elderly people swear by a drink before bed. My nan used to have a tot of whisky every night before bed and she lived to a ripe old age. As long as someone doesn't drink to excess there is nothing wrong with enjoying a tipple into later life.

None of your business. You cannot dictate to others how you believe they should lead their lives. I cannot remember when I last drank alcohol but I don't care how others perceive me.

Sorry but the original post does seem a tad judgmental. I think the elderly lady has got it right - enjoy!

It's just a discussion, differing views, having a chat, expressing them.
Nobody is wound up (as far as I know)

Why would you think it’s any of your business ?

I don't think anyone is 'wound up'. On the whole, posters have taken the mickey and dismissed the OP, realising that the post is not serious.

Gradual embalming from the inside out! Excellent idea. @Pat37, don't be such a prude!

dragonfly46

This is a wind-up and it’s surely got you all wound up! 😂🍸

I tend to agree.
The OP hasn’t returned.
The wording is odd…..”shocked” not concerned and “elderly one”.

I find some things shocking such as death and suffering in Gaza, but elderly drinking is definitely not remotely shocking to me, but I imagine fairly common, as evidenced by this thread!

It's nothing new to have alcohol in care homes.
Most of them do.

Unless it's causing a problem with their meds, balance or mobility, I would let them alone to enjoy their glass of wine.
My late Mum's care home had wine available in the 'sideboard' in the dining room for shared consumption. Enjoy life while you can, I say. 🥂

People with dementia can enjoy a tipple, too.

Not really very shocking! They over 50’s are the highest consumers of alcoholic drinks according to research, so this shouldn’t come as a surprise. ‘Very elderly’ or not, many people enjoy a glass of wine with their evening meal and perhaps a little ‘nightcap’! As long as any meds she takes are ok, she’ll be fine. It’s her decision to make, after all as I presume there’s no dementia involved. I hope she enjoys her little treats! I speak as one who often misses them as I find that alcohol severely interacts with meds I take for my gastric problems, so can no longer tolerate it.

I have loved all the responses to this post!
Some have made me laugh out loud so I need to be careful not to choke on my glass of wine.

My mother used to have a sherry in the late afternoon and occastionally a wine with her dinner - I certainly wouldn't have described her as a heavy drinker, nor have tried to dissuade her!
Another elderly gent that we knew said he was a lifelong tea-totaller, but that he had a brandy in warm milk before he went to bed. He lived soberly until he was nearly 90!

In a care home what someone drinks will be measured.
In someone's own home, not so likely.

It is entirely their own choice, but it makes things more risky if they're a bit pissed.

Have you got two lives, or even nine, unlike this person? Has she appointed you judge and /or jury?

Just as a matter of interest how would you all react if OP said an elderly person was smoking cannabis every evening?

I used to do homecare for a lady bedridden with MS.
Cannabis certainly helped her symptoms.

My elderly mother almost 104 in a care home and she enjoys a small sherry. I think it’s that which keeps her going!

Life’s too short and if she’s made it to 90 having a glass of wine and or another little tipple is likely to improve her quality of life, good on her 👍🏻