Keeping balanced while walking or standing becomes more difficult with age and alcohol makes the problem worse. Falls and other injuries are more common with alcohol use. Older people who drink three or four drinks a night and have never had any problems still need to cut down on the use of alcohol. Alcohol has a stronger effect in older people than it does in younger people. Reaction time slows down with age, and alcohol slows it even more.
Mental confusion can occur from drinking too much.
Important physical signs like pain may be ignored when drinking. All of these reasons can affect the person s safety and health. If an older person you care about has a drinking problem, do the same thing that you would do for someone younger. Get support from family, healthcare providers, or the local chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous. All Rights Reserved.