| << Previous | Next >> • TURNING THE CORNER The first thing is to begin discussing the alcohol problem with the senior. However obvious this seems it is often overlooked,
partly because people are busy, do not want to elicit anger in the
senior, or do not think it will help. 2
Sometimes, people refrain from asking because of
the "nice old man (or lady) process", as in "That nice old man could
not possibly have an alcohol problem. It must be something else".
3 Recovering seniors often talk about the point where
someone who cared first referred to the alcohol problem as a problem.
Often, the discussion started around the health connections between
the problems the senior was experiencing, and the alcohol problem.
This was when the senior began to look at the destructive effects
of his or her drinking. 4
Not every senior responds positively the first
time this is raised, or the second, or even the third. But the simple
fact is, if people remain silent about an alcohol problem, there
is little or no reason for the senior to consider change. Silence
reinforces any denial the senior may be feeling that there is a
problem. Silence can also indicate indifference to the senior as
a person.
Strangely, it is hard to imagine people not talking
about any other suspected health condition, (e.g. cancer, heart
disease) with a senior when it was having such an obvious effect
on the person's life. Indeed, it would probably be considered professionally
unethical to do so. 5
There is a common myth that seniors do not change
in response to help from alcohol problems.
In 1995, when we surveyed 120 service providers
across the province in a Background Study, we found that this negative
attitude was being expressed in different ways, among a number of
professions. 5
Even some of those who work in addiction treatment areas share this
belief, and assess older clients negatively.
In fact, research indicates seniors have a slight
edge over their younger counterparts, particularly when the treatment
is geared specifically to seniors' needs. 6
Seniors are more likely to stay in treatment, and more likely to have
a less hazardous pattern of drinking after receiving appropriate help.
Reducing or stopping use of alcohol or other problem
drugs improve the quality of life for a senior in a number of areas:
she or he often has more interest in socializing, less confusion
or memory problems, less depression or anxiety, and improved physical
health. 7
We asked seniors in recovery for their personal
opinions on "What Gets Better?". They pointed to several areas: Seniors in recovery and clinical practitioners
agree that all these help: There are many pitfalls along the way. Three that
some seniors have noted are: There are a number of useful principles to help
guide people wanting to help seniors who have alcohol problems.
These include: |
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