You’ve probably heard red wine has certain health benefits for the elderly when consumed in moderation. While that holds true in many ways, there are also special considerations older adults should take into account when drinking alcohol.
A professional caregiver can encourage your loved one to make healthy choices that prevent a variety of age-related conditions. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Lifestar Home Care , a leading provider of at-home care. Lifestar Home Care provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
To help your senior loved one decide if drinking wine is a good idea for his or her health, here’s some information from both sides.
Pros
Red wine is rich in antioxidants called polyphenols, which promote heart health by increasing the levels of good cholesterol in the blood, lowering blood pressure, and reducing the risk of blood clots. Resveratrol, a compound found in red wine, is linked to a reduced risk of inflammation and blood clots.
Drinking wine in moderation can preserve your loved one’s quality of life. A 2015 study in the American Journal of Epidemiology focused on heavy and moderate drinkers as well as those who don’t drink. The research revealed healthy seniors who consume one to two alcoholic beverages each day reduce their odds of developing physical disabilities or dying in the next five years by 23 percent.
In addition to drinking wine in moderation, there are many other ways your loved one can promote his or her health. If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Lifestar Home Care, a leading provider of home care Oklahoma City families can trust. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia.
Cons
Research shows seniors retain less water in their bodies, which makes it more difficult to dilute alcohol when consumed. This leads to a higher blood alcohol content than younger adults of similar build who consume the same quantity of alcohol. As a result, aging adults are more susceptible to alcohol’s effects, such as slurred speech and lack of coordination, which can increase the risk of injuries.
Seniors are more likely to have serious medical conditions and be prescribed multiple medications. Not only can consuming alcohol exacerbate diabetes, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, liver problems, depression, anxiety, and memory problems, it can also interact negatively with many types of prescription drugs. Because of this, many experts don’t recommend seniors begin drinking red wine simply for the health benefits.
Living with serious health conditions can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. If your senior loved one needs around-the-clock assistance at home, the Oklahoma City, OK, live-in care professionals at Lifestar Home Care are here to help. Our caregivers promote longevity by encouraging seniors to focus on healthy eating, regular exercise, mental engagement, and other important lifestyle factors. If your loved one needs help with the challenges of aging, call one of our compassionate Care Managers today.