Alcoholic abstinence in elderly subjects with misuse of alcohol.

Alcohol use disorder does not disappear with aging, neither the associated induced-suffering. While the prevalence of alcohol use disorder still remains around 10% in the subjects over 65 year old age, and daily encountered by hospital or nursing-home caregivers. Alcohol misuse is often overlooked in elderly people, which then obtain lesser care than younger adults although the care prognosis remains as good as or better than before the age of 65, alcoholic abstinence gets always a place among care offers to elders suffering of alcohol use disorders and dependence.

[The place of alcohol in hospital meals].

Wine and other types of alcohol are generally seen as an important part of French tradition. A study was carried out at Mâcon hospital to reflect on the place of alcohol in meals served on short stay medical-surgical wards. The results show that the consumption of wine, which was already modest ten years ago, had almost disappeared by 2010, without the offer having been restricted.

[Vocally disruptive behaviors].

Vocally disruptive behaviors are not uncommon in the elderly, especially in dementia and institutionalization context. Although they do not constitute the most frequent of the behavioral symptoms of dementia, they are one of the most disturbing and therefore a challenge for nursing home staff. They can result in serious consequences for the patient itself as well as for caregivers, nursing staff and other residents.

[Acute alcoholic intoxication in subjects over 75 years of age: a clinical situation far to be uncommon].

Acute ethylic intoxication (AEI) or alcoholic drunkenness is not only a youth-specific disorder. It also occurs at advanced ages of life. Diagnosis is not easy, at times made in excess, but more often underestimated, then leading to the negligence of a risk situation and suffering.

[Bipolar disorders and dementia: fortuitous association or filiation? A case-report and review of the literature].

The prevalence of bipolar disorders is about 4% of the population. Among the patients the emergence of cognitive disorders has been identified. These disorders can sometimes result in authentic dementia-like syndromes.

[Ethical approach to severe dementia].

General principles of medical ethics are discussed in the context of care for patients with severe dementia.