Treatment for an Elderly Individual with Alcohol Problem
Elderly alcohol treatment is available for those who wish to stop their dependencies on alcohol. Senior alcohol rehab facilities can help those with years of alcohol abuse stop their dependencies in a number of ways, with things like therapy and medications. Elderly alcoholism is not uncommon, but it is important to have it treated like any other case of alcoholism.
Senior Alcoholism and Depression
Many elderly people drink in their homes, making it more difficult to get them the treatment they need. This is mainly because they aren’t showing that they have dependency issues in public. Since the elderly often do not work, coworker interventions are rare and can’t help others identify a potential dependency issue. If you or a loved one would like more information about elderly alcoholism, contact us.
There are a number of risks the elderly face when alcoholism is part of their lives. Black outs are more common, especially in the form of memory black outs. This could cause a person to forget that he or she is cooking, which could lead to a fire or other hazard.
There are a number of steps taken when starting treatment for alcoholism in the elderly. These include an having an office screening at a medical facility, a high index of suspicion, finding information about alcohol use, gathering information about the pattern of alcohol use, locating an indication of the amount of alcohol being taken into the body, compiling information on the patient’s social, legal, family, and medical situation, putting together information on the patient’s prior health history, and collecting a family history. After these steps take place, it is possible to start recommending treatment protocols.
At this stage, a patient has to be assessed for a readiness to accept treatment. Once this is achieved, doctors must assess if the patient is at a high risk of withdrawal, if there is a high risk of symptoms, such as delirium or seizures, with the withdrawal, if the patient has unstable medical conditions, if there is an impairment in the patient’s self-care, how much support the family is willing to give the patient, and the ability for the patient to obtain medical care once detoxification is recommended.
Treatment Options
Post detoxification, patients may need additional treatments such as behavioral therapy or group therapy. At this point, doctors must check to see if the patient is able to attend these meetings. Patient preferences are taken into account, as well as the eligibility for those programs. Insurance coverage is checked in correlation with the groups available for membership. Transportation is the next thing that is arranged. Family involvement is checked, as well as the ability of the family to take part in treatment procedures. Frail elders must have special considerations, so doctors must plan ahead for any complications. A geriatric assessment is often completed before referring the patient to a program. If a patient is seen to be in poor health, a nursing facility may be an option for continued treatment.
Call for Help
It’s important to find elderly alcohol treatment for those who suffer from dependency as soon as possible. For more information about programs in your area, contact us or speak to your family care practitioner about the type of treatment that is best for you or your loved one. Elderly alcohol treatment is available for those who need help, and it is possible to become free of alcohol abuse at an elderly age. Simple precautions must be taken, which is similar in many detoxification programs with younger individuals.