Hi all. My mum has an issue with alcohol. She has drunk for as long as I can remember but the last few years have been very problematic. She is 80 and has early onset dementia. She has had regular falls due to a combination of drinking with her increased frailty. She recently fell down the stairs and ended up in hospital for 5 weeks. She hated the hospital experience but she ate well and took her meds (mostly). Combined with no drinking and bed rest she ended up much healthier. She came home and didn't drink for about 2-3 weeks but has started drinking again recently.
There is a local shop which she can just about get to but she has fallen coming back from here. We have lasting power of attorney now. Can we stop the shop from selling to her? I asked AGE UK and they thought the shop manager could do this at their discretion.
Besides the health issues for her, it makes her very unpleasant to be around. Me and my sister have helped her a lot but it is really difficult when she drinks and is abusive. We are reaching the end of the line with her drinking.
Although we are really understanding of her dementia, the fact she wasn't a great mum when we were younger means it is very hard for us to separate/compartmentalize any dementia related behaviour that is abusive towards us.
She is in total denial it is a problem and seems unable to accept that the drinking has led to, and will lead to further falls and hospitalisations. Obviously, her dementia is an issue here too.
It is unlikely she would attend an explicit session for alcoholism, but I thought you might be able to advise or point me in the direction of help with this dealing with this matter.