Alcohol and the elderly

People with dementia can enjoy a tipple, too.

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. 🥂

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

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!

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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 😊

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!

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

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.

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!

If you were a friend or relation of mine, I would be sorely tempted to tell you to mind your own business.

If or when, a person, either due to age or infirmity, feels they are not long for this world, it is no business of anyone else's which pleasures they wish to indulge in, as long as these are not illegal.

Would you be just as censorious if the realisation that she is mortal and like everyone else will die one day, had made her write or re-write her will, pay her funeral in advance, or start going to church?

Any of these choices can frequently be encountered once we come to terms with the fact that we have undoubtedly lived the longest part of our lives, and that there is no knowing how much time is left us and we intend to use it as we please.

I guess you get to a point when you don’t have much to live for and a drink or ten is all that’s left. Wise words Primrose 53.
And so true !
Just about sums up my evening!

So, should the nhs treat people who are overdoing the alcohol and have accidents or falls?
Even "elderly ones"?

I recall people being less than sympathetic to smokers receiving nhs treatment.

I'm asking myself exactly what business of yours it is whether your subject drinks a glass of wine or a bottle of spirits!
We older people have enough common sense to know the risks and should be left to make our own decisions.
I am a 63 year old teetotaller.

More power to the elderly 👵🏼 … and alcohol!🍷 As long as they don’t drive! 🚙

The op said she was shocked, and asked if she should be worried.
I don't feel that is making it her business.

People are often shocked to consider that people do still have choices in life, despite age or infirmity.

Doodledog

Kate1949

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

Agreed. Live and let live.

It depends if she was doing it in the street or the privacy of her home 😁

Ach, there are fewer horses to frighten these days