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Elderly parents
Original poster

What happens when elderly smokers and drinkers move into a carehome?

54 replies

Seainasive · 12/07/2022 18:31

My mother is getting more and more confused. We suspect alcohol related dementia. She drinks every day and going cold turkey would probably kill her. She’s also a very heavy smoker. How would this be managed if she has to move into a care home?

OP posts:
AlaskaThunderfuckHiiiiiiiii · 12/07/2022 18:38

If she has been a heavy drinker you are correct she cannot just stop cold turkey but there are medications she can be given to replace the alcohol

Frequency · 12/07/2022 18:38

For alcohol the law is we cannot deprive them but we also cannot assist if we know they're on medication. So, she can have drink in her room and if she's capable of pouring herself one she can but if carers spot she's had a drink and she's due meds they'll have to ask the nurse if she can have her medication. This usually results in most medication being witheld. It would be worth seeing your GP and asking if they can try to prescribe her medications safe to use with alcohol where possible and ensure the staff know which meds can be taken with alcohol.

Frequency · 12/07/2022 18:35

It depends on the care home. The ones where you only have your own room and the other areas are communal there are smoking areas outside for residents and staff. Staff will usually assist her outside for a smoke but it will be when they have time and not when your mum wants to go out.

In the independent living/self contained flats ones residents are allowed to smoke in their own flats when carers are not present or in the designated smoking area outside.

Finfintytint · 12/07/2022 18:35

I did a short stint in a care home. There was one smoking resident who was accommodated and he used to be taken outside every now and then. Can’t recall anyone drinking alcohol but suspect it wouldn’t mix with any medications being taken.