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Go for it! At her age, what does it matter? So much “do this, don’t do that” in the nanny-state health advisories. I mean…why don’t you ask her? If she wants a cocktail or two, then she gets ‘em. She is of legal drinking age!
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BurntCaregiver Aug 2023
Agreed. At that age what does it matter? So long as the environment is safe.

~BC 8/11/23
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I find it very hard to believe that a single wine cooler that only has 3.2%(I checked mine in my refrigerator)of alcohol in it would have any effect on your MIL at all, positive or negative.
Do you think that perhaps she was a "different person" because she was around other folks at your small gathering and just needed to be around other people?
I'm a firm believer in being able to enjoy whatever you like in moderation, and my only concern would be mixing any alcohol with her medications. But again with such a low alcohol content, I don't even know if you have to worry about that.
Perhaps you just need to have more "small" gatherings at your house instead.
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My folks drank wine and Amaretto or Anisette frequently in their old age. They never had an issue with it, and I can't imagine your MIL will either. What's the alternative? Getting her doctor to prescribe anti anxiety meds? Is that better than a daily wine cooler? I think not. I hardly think you'd be creating an "alcohol habit" in her and anyway, is that worse than popping Ativan, Xanax or Valium? Each substance has its own risks to deal with. Some worse than others.

Good luck to you
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bianca12 Aug 2023
Ah- It sounds like you folks were Italian(?). My dad was too. Mom, who I am caretaker for, is Irish, but contrary to the stereotype, almost never drank…
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Alcohol in older people is unpredictable, and it doesn’t affect them the same way each time. Plus if she doesn’t have an alcohol habit, why start one now? There are better ways to relax. You wouldn’t believe some of the elder alcohol stories I know about. Please don’t do that to her.
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ventingisback Aug 2023
I agree. OP, don’t do it.

“if she doesn’t have an alcohol habit, why start one now?”

Excellent point.
Kind of like introducing someone to drugs.
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Alcohol in any amount for anyone, particularly older people, is extremely dangerous. I've seen the acute and choric effects of alcohol drinking all through my life.

Falls are a major cause disability and very often the beginning of the end for older people. Even a half a drink, for anyone, can cause impairment of reflexes and/or cognitive function and can cause a fall.

Speak with a geriatric doctor about this. If they say a little alcohol is fine then do what you want. They may prescribe something that works as good or even better.

I find going for a long walk, like an hour, does wonders for me and I'm always in complete control.

As good as the effects of alcohol are I can't see why many people still do it given all the countless disasters that results. I don't need to say more.
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Fawnby Aug 2023
Alcohol = disaster in my retirement community, from driving issues to forgetting where they are to forgetting they’re watching their grandkids at the pool or pond. Falls abound. Hiding bottles all over the place. Peeing on selves. Just NO need for any of that.
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"The average alcohol content of a cooler is about 6 percent. Beer averages about 4 percent. Wine has a higher alcohol content -- about 10 to 14 percent -- but it is normally served in much smaller portions than beer or wine coolers. Most wine coolers come in 12-ounce bottles."

As long as alcohol does not effect her medications, I see no problem in her having a wine cooler. Lots of older people have a glass of wine at night. Seems wine coolers have a lot less alcohol.
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Sounds good .
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That all depends on:
-What medicines she’s taking. Some medicines shouldn’t be mixed with alcohol (even if taken hours apart). You should cut out alcohol completely.
-How skinny she is
-Empty stomach? Alcohol without eating?
-Not drinking enough water?

My mom totally cut out alcohol. Even 1/2 glass was affecting her too much.

Generally, I don’t think your idea is a good idea.
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