Tue, Dec 23, 2008 - Page 16 News List

Alcohol and the elderly

Drinking in moderation can be beneficial for many older people — but not for all

BY Jane E. Brody  /  NY TIMES NEWS SERVICE, NEW YORK

Ferreira called alcohol abuse and alcoholism in aging adults “a silent epidemic.” Naegle wrote that “many older people pursue drinking patterns established earlier in life and may not realize that continuing to drink the same amount of alcohol as they did when they were younger may place them at risk for health problems.”

She recommended using diet and exercise to reduce cardiac risk; trying alternative relaxation methods like meditation, yoga and exercise; and, for those who drink, cutting down on the amount of alcohol consumed by mixing it with water, taking an hour to finish one drink and alternating alcohol with nonalcoholic drinks.

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