Often said and seldom disputed, The Villages is a drinking community with a golf problem. It is meant to be funny, because those of us who have lived here for any length of time frequently discuss the generous flow of alcohol everywhere you go. In our squares, nothing can beat the two for one happy hour; in many restaurants, there are the doubles all day long; and the outside bars have a following at 11 a.m. opening. Then there is the neighborhood party and social traditions-pack your carry bag with your drink of choice and your plastic glass and head out for an evening of celebration and socialization, whatever the occasion.
We are a happy group here in The Villages and we have good times. I think we would agree that there is nowhere else like this to live, be active, have these amazing friendships, and enjoy each day. I often equate it to living in the dorm at university except we all have our own homes. My adult children who just visited for the first time said it reminded them of visiting a resort. I would agree.
With all of the good times rolling, there is the reality that alcohol, while playing a major role in activities, can also be a detriment to the wellbeing of those double dipping in their happy hour(s). Be it increased falls, fractures, golf cart accidents, car accidents, contraindications with prescriptions, there are worries to be had when that social drink turns into a medical or safety issues that needs to be addressed. Problem is who addresses it when so many are all enjoying life in a similar fashion, and friends do not want to critique others unless they are also looking in the mirror at themselves?
It may be that the person or people you have been partying with for years are changing in their ability to have the same level of enjoyment with alcohol that you and your friends have been used to seeing them handle. Fact is, how you handle the same habits of alcohol changes with age because the body changes.
The fact is, drinking too much over a long time can cause liver damage, immune system disorders, brain damage and worsen some health conditions like osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood pressure and ulcers. Alcohol can cause changes in the heart and blood vessels which can be a dull pain that may be a warning sign of a heart attack. For some, alcohol usage in older people can cause forgetfulness and confusion and be mistaken for Alzheimer’s disease.
Alcohol and medicines can be a toxic mix. It is important to look at the prescription, over the counter and herbal remedies that you may be taking. Mixing alcohol with some medications can cause some very serious side effects. Some examples are a risk of stomach or intestinal bleeding if alcohol is combined with aspirin. Sleepiness when taking cold and allergy medicines can occur when drinking and make you a danger in your car or golf cart. Everyone’s beloved acetaminophen, a common pain killer, can cause liver damage. Mixing alcohol with sleeping pills, pain pills or anxiety and anti-depressants can be deadly.
Although everyone is different, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, part of the National Institutes of Health, recommends that people over age 65 should have no more than seven drinks a week and no more than three drinks on any one day. With the manner in which Happy Hour drinks are sold in The Villages, one drink at Happy Hour every day puts you at double the recommended daily intake!
We are a community which is also focusing on good health and prevention, so we need to look at how we are messaging on drinking at our town squares, restaurants and events. Of course each person has to take responsibility for themself, but we are priding ourselves on our new health care system and healthy lifestyles. We have a disconnect with our messaging about the use of alcohol in the community.
Growing older brings on many changes: changes in health, lifestyle, roles and support; physical pain, loss of mobility, and stress and loneliness is common Losing a spouse creates significant life adjustment. Alcohol and prescription drug problems, among adults 60 and older, are one of the fastest growing health problems facing the country. Yet, the situation remains underestimated, under identified, underdiagnosed, and undertreated.
Alcohol and drug problems among older adults are something few want to talk about or deal with. Health care providers tend to overlook alcohol or drug problems among older people, mistaking the symptoms for dementia, depression, or other problems common to older adults. Older adults are more likely to hide their alcohol or drug use and less likely to seek professional help. Many relatives of older individuals with substance use disorders, particularly their adult children, are living in denial or ashamed of the problem and choose not to address it. I have had numerous people tell me that on intake to a new doctor, they are asked how much they drink per day and per week, and surprise, no one is telling the truth! They do not want it on their medical record and do not want to disclose that they are more than letting the good times roll.
If you have concerns for how much you are drinking, and I would venture to say if you live in The Villages, you may drink more than you ever have in your life, or at least since you were very young, there are some tactics you can take to make some changes to better your chances for long lasting good health. Even a few changes can make a difference in how you feel long term.
You can:
• Count how many ounces of alcohol you are getting in each drink
• Keep track of the number of drinks you have each day
• Decide how many days a week you want to drink and plan some days that are alcohol free.
• Pace yourself when you drink. Don’t have more than one alcoholic drink in an hour. In place of alcohol, drink water, juice, or soda.
• Make sure to eat when drinking. Alcohol will enter your system more slowly if you eat some food.
• Ask for support from your family and advice from your healthcare provider. Get the help you need to quit.
While Happy Hour is a wonderful metaphor for life, there are so many ways to choose to be happy. Take a walk every day, talk with friends, call a family member, golf, go to a club meeting, read a book, watch the birds, go to the pool, do an activity, dance. Keep life well rounded, so that when you do go to have a drink or two, you can feel good that you are filling your life with many activities and outlets, and that you are making healthy choices to keep you in The Villages lifestyle for many years to come.
For questions or comments, contact Jane Bloom, The Other Daughter, at janeinethevillages@gmail.com www.theotherdaughter.org or call 425 299 6020
