Families should enlist the help and support of mental health professionals or case workers who have experience in working with alcoholism. Family meetings or support groups also may be helpful in bringing together additional family members to assist the WKS person. A case manager or family counselor can help the family sort through issues and help arrange appropriate support services. In severe cases or when the family is unable to provide appropriate care, a residential facility may be sought. Nursing homes which provide special dementia care should be considered for a confused WKS patient.
Research indicates that alcoholism often runs in families.
Having additional family members who are alcoholic increases the burden of care. Such findings suggest that people in alcoholic families need to take special precautions to avoid excessive use of alcohol in order to reduce their own risk of alcohol-related health problems. It is important to ensure that the affected person continues to abstain from drinking alcohol and that the person maintains a balanced diet with adequate thiamine intake. Family caregivers should take precautions to ensure the safety of the person with WKS, as well as others in the household. The confused or disoriented individual should not be left alone.