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Serving Philadelphia, Delaware County, Montgomery County, Bucks County and Chester County since 1996.
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Issue 2, April 2007
FEATURE ARTICLE - Aging in Place - The Goal of Life Care Planning |
HEALTHLINE - Alcohol and Aging |
LIFE CARE PLANNING - Meet Ruth Valentine - Elder Care Coordinator |
CAREGIVER HELPLINE - Advocating for Long-Term Care Residents |
LEGAL LINE - An Underused LTC Benefit for Veterans and Surviving Spouses
HEALTHLINE - Alcohol and Aging
April is Alcohol Awareness Month. Many people are not aware of how alcohol affects their bodies as they age. Even one or two drinks can be harmful.
Your body contains more fat and less water as you age. Because alcohol is retained in fat, you have a higher concentration in your body.
This can lead to falls and health problems like high blood pressure, ulcers, liver problems, depression, confusion and eating and sleeping problems -
often attributed to the natural effects of aging. Women are at even greater risk for developing alcohol-related problems because of differences in metabolism and body fat.
Alcohol also interacts with other medications you take, including over-the-counter medications and herbal remedies. This can cause serious problems
or change the effectiveness of your medications. Do not drink alcohol if you are taking medications for sleeping, pain, anxiety or depression.
To guard against potential problems with medications, become knowledgeable about your medication and how it makes you feel.
Take steps on your own
*Read the labels of your medications carefully,
and follow directions.
*Look for pictures or statements on your prescriptions
and pill bottles that tell you
not to drink alcohol
while taking the particular medication. If you are taking
medications for sleeping, pain, anxiety or
depression, it is unsafe to drink alcohol.
*One alcoholic drink a day is the recommended limit for
anyone who is over the
age of 65 who has not been
diagnosed with a drinking problem. That's 12 ounces
of beer,
1.5 ounces of distilled spirits, or 5 ounces of wine.
*Talk to your health care professional about all medications
you take, including
prescription, over-the-counter (OTC)
medications and dietary supplements, vitamins and herbals.
*Tell your doctor about any food or medicine allergies you have.
*Keep track of side effects, and let your doctor know
immediately about any unexpected
symptoms or
changes in the way you feel.
*Go through your medicine cabinet at least once
a year to get rid of old or expired medicines.
*Have all of your medicines reviewed by
your doctor at least once a year.
Medicine and alcohol misuse can happen unintentionally
Here are some signals that may indicate an alcohol or medication-related problem:
*Memory trouble after having a drink or taking medicine
*Loss of coordination (walking unsteadily, frequent falls)
*Changes in sleeping habits
*Unexplained bruises
*Being unsure of yourself
*Irritability, sadness, depression
*Unexplained chronic pain
*Changes in eating habits
*Wanting to stay alone a lot of the time
*Failing to bathe or keep clean
*Having trouble finishing sentences
*Having trouble concentrating
*Difficulty staying in touch with family or friends
*Lack of interest in usual activities
Do you think you may be having trouble with alcohol or medications? Do you want to avoid a problem? Here are some things you can do:
Talk to someone you trust
*Talk with your doctor or other health care professional. They can check for
any problems you may be having and discuss treatment options with you.
*Ask for advice from a staff member at a senior center or other program in which you participate.
*Share your concerns with a friend, family member or spiritual advisor.
Share the right information with your health care professional
*Make a list for your doctor of all your medications.
*Remind your doctor or pharmacist about any previous conditions that
may affect your ability to take certain medicines, such as allergies, a stroke,
hypertension, serious heart disease, liver problems or lung disease.
*Don't be afraid to ask questions if you want more information.
*Whenever possible, have your doctor or a member of the medical staff
give you written advice or instructions.
In the case of an emergency, call 911. To talk to a health care information specialist about possible alcohol or drug misuse or for dependency treatment referral,
call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at: (800) 662-HELP (4357) / TDD (800)487-4889 or visit www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov
For more information about your medicines, contact the Food and Drug Administration at: 888-INFO-FDA (463-6332) or visit www.fda.gov.
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Call Us: (610) 446-9626
Fax Us: (610) 446-9985 |
Visit our offices:
17 Mifflin Ave. Suite 202
Havertown, PA 19083 |
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