Part of the problem is getting doctors to accept that elderly alcoholics exist, according to a report by the American Medical Association. "They may deny that the patient has a drinking problem, or be reluctant to make a diagnosis, because they are uncertain about how to treat the disease or because they question whether treatment is likely to be successful with this age group," the report said.
The community and care givers will often turn a blind eye to the problem and accept it as a condition of aging, a reaction to loss or grief, or it's "just the way he is." Many times physicians merely presume their older patients are non-drinkers.
He passes out with a pan of food cooking on the stove. He doesn't hear the smoke alarm, but the neighbors do and call the fire department. He can no longer deny that he has a drinking problem. He agrees to seek help.
The problem can also go undetected, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association, if physicians rely on the standard CAGE Questionnaire, which has proven to be ineffective with elderly abusers.
Proper Diagnosis and Care
The AMA and other groups are encouraging doctors to take a closer look at their older patients to identify substance abuse problems, because treatment for these patients can be highly successful. To do this, the AMA suggests:
- Consider problem drinking as a factor when treating a patient for falls, appetite and memory problems, trouble sleeping, and depression.
- Use open, non-judgmental questions such as "Do you use alcohol?"
- Watch for possible interactions between alcohol and prescription drugs, especially anti-anxiety, barbiturate and sedative medications.
On the advice of a Senior Citizen counselor, he attends his first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. He hears an old-timer share his story and identifies with it. After the meeting, he goes up and talks with the old-timer who becomes his sponsor. He gets involved with service work, helping others and never takes another drink.
