Does this sound like alcoholism - what do we do?

[novembernnchange]

Relative, mid 80s . Lives alone, widowed .

Drink several glasses of spirit every day, wine in the evening, Prosecco at weekends . Can easily get through 4 bottles a week but it steadily drinking it can be 4 bottles a day .

Has started becoming muddled, and most recently sank three bottles in two hours - drunk to point of clumsy, slurring, shouting and arguing .

No obvious signs of dementia . Refusing all ‘formal’ care and help at home but phoning children up to 30 times a day .

Worried they are going to have a fall next, and as they’ve refused an alarm pendant, we won’t know . Still driving as well which is a huge concern .

What do we do? Wouldn’t be open to a conversation about this as would be hurt/angry but alcoholism runs in the family ... starting to wonder how safe they really are at home and if we need to be looking at sheltered housing .

Yes it does, but I wouls leave then to it, at that age I cant see thm wnating to sort it out

I would be there for the time being, but not afraid to walk away if it gets too much for you

Contact the GP and SS and express your concerns.
Unfortunately you cannot force someone into care, even if it’s the best thing for them.

Would they agree to seeing their doctor. They dont sound safe at all. They could fall, leave the gas on, all sorts of risks. The driving must stop. They could kill someone. I would ring the gp and adult social services for advice. They could have alcohol related dementia and sheltered accommodation may not be enough. How would you arrange that. Does anyone have poa.

If you think he’s over the limit when driving then report to the police and DVLA, you can do it confidentially.
I reported a relative to the DVLA due to eye issues. It was all sorted out satisfactorily.