our professionals: COPING WITH DEMENTIA
Dementia In Perspective
Q: Dear Janet,
I need your advice, badly. We found out my husband has
dementia around two years ago. He’s always been a light
drinker but since the doctors told us about his dementia,
he’s been drinking too much beer and lately, it’s gotten
really bad. He wants to drive when he runs out of beer to
get more and I hide the keys and he throws a fit.
It’s bad enough that he’s got dementia, but now he’s a
drunk and demented. It’s ruining all the good memories I
have of us. I don’t know what to do.
— Name Withheld
A: I understand that this is a challenging situation for both
of you. The combination of alcohol, dementia, and medi-
cations can create a very serious situation which needs to
be addressed by his physician. There may be increased
confusion, and possible underlying medical issues. Keep
in mind that as the dementia progresses, cognitive skills
will decline.
For a person with dementia, he is doing the best he
can and cannot change. You are the one that must make
the changes. He may not remember how much he drank
and may resist attempts to reduce drinking. More assis-
tance with care may be needed.
Try to identify the reason your husband started drink-
ing excessively. Observe his behaviors. Listen to what
he says. Is he depressed, anxious, lonely, grieving, or in
pain? Consult with a Geriatric Psychologist to help deter-
mine the unmet needs.
Suggestions for Environmental Changes:
1. Alcohol: remove alcohol from the home includ-
ing mouthwash and other alcohol-based prod-
ucts. Consult with physician before removing
alcohol due to concerns about serious withdraw-
als or other side effects.
2. Dilute the alcohol with water or substitute with
non-alcoholic beer. Drinking may be more of a
habit and he may not notice the difference. Make
sure no one buys alcohol or alcohol based prod-
ucts for him.
3. If possible, restrict him from access to money and
places where alcohol can be purchased.
Safety Concerns:
1. Prevent him from driving. Tell him the physician
told him he could no longer drive. Hide the car
keys, disable the car, or actually remove the car
from the premises. He may become upset, but at
least you know he and others are safe.
Dementia in Perspective
42
Janet Standifer
M.Ed. CCC/SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Certified Dementia Trainer
& Consultant
817-901-4658 • [email protected]
P.O. Box 2065, Weatherford, TX 76086 • www.jstandiferconsulting.com