My MIL(61) lives with me. Hubs and I do our best caring for her while we wait for a facility to open up. She is an alcoholic. She doesn't leave the house and demands we get her alcohol. She is partially blind and has mobility issues (due to refusing to do anything herself and long term alcoholism). We have reduced her down to 2 beers a day but I'm tired of supplying her and her being ungrateful for everything we do.
Am I legally required to get her alcohol? Is it a need like food or medical care?
5 Answers
Helpful Newest
First Oldest
First
Drinking one or two standard beers per day may have positive effects, such as benefits to your heart, better blood sugar control, stronger bones, and reduced dementia risk.
Medicare/Medicaid or even the Medicare Advantage plans have coverage for alcohol addiction treatment.
Do a bit of research for your geographic location for elder or senior rehabs and speak to the intake counselor. You might find a way to get MIL and/or her family a bit of counseling on this subject. I see you are concerned about covid, so she/you may be able to get her blood work and counseling without inpatient treatment.
Many people drink in excess in an effort to manage other issues like anxiety and depression. So yes, it is a need until she gets the proper care to safely withdraw and get the Medical attention to manage her symptoms.
Her B1 should be checked. It may be severely depleted as it is for most alcoholics. Her D3 is also very important.
Two beers doesn’t sound like a lot on one hand but it’s 14 drinks a week and I think that might qualify her for treatment. Especially as you say it’s a reduction in her consumption.
No doubt being her caregiver has been a challenge but you are trying and you might as well research what options are available to help you manage her care.
As they say, it’s not easy being old.
Here is a link on the importance of the B1..
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27818067/
ADVERTISEMENT
Has she been diagnosed as an alcoholic? Two beers would not keep an alcoholic comfortable. How long has she lived with you?
Removing all alcohol will have consequences - maybe good, as you feel better about it.. but maybe bad, as most probably there will be physical & mental effects on your MIL. The fallout/behaviour issues may make life harder than it currently is!
The current 2 beers a day may be a good compromise?
It doesn't seem likely that any legal entity, like Adult Protective Services would insist that she be served alcohol to the point that she becomes intoxicated and more prone to falls and injury.