The Other Drugs: Caffeine and Alcohol

Course Leader

Elizabeth (Dr Liz) has over twenty years of experience in providing medical care to the elders. She is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Care Medicine. Dr Landsverk founded ElderConsult Geriatric Medicine, a house calls practice, to address the challenging medical and behavioral issues often facing older patients and their families.

Dr Landsverk was an assistant professor of Medicine at University of California, San Francisco, an adjunct professor of Medicine at Stanford University, as well as consultant to the San Francisco Elder Abuse Forensics Center and Hospice Medical Director. She is currently the Medical Director for Silverado and Kensington Dementia Care Communities, as well as on the Scientific Panel for the Alzheimer’s Association. Dr Landsverk graduated from Stanford University, and trained at Cambridge Hospital, Harvard University, and Mt Sinai Medical School.

As a House Calls Geriatrician, she collaborates with local physicians to address the needs of complicated vulnerable elders to alleviate pain, agitation and discomfort through the utilization of geriatric and palliative care techniques.

Learning Objectives

Lesson 1 – Alcohol and Dementia

This lesson presents the learner with common assumptions often made in the media regarding suggested health benefits of alcohol. The effects of alcohol on elders are examined, alongside assessment of the reliability of studies suggesting health benefits of alcohol. 

On completion of this lesson the learner will:

• Have sufficient knowledge to identify the effects of alcohol on elders. 
• Be aware of commonly suggested health benefits of alcohol presented in mainstream media.
• Be aware of issues of reliability in studies reporting health benefits of alcohol.

Lesson 2 – Effects of Alcohol on the Brain and Body

This lesson examines the effects of alcohol on different areas of the brain, and on different systems of the body using interactive tools and activities. 

On completion of this lesson the learner will:

• Be able to identify different areas of the brain, the function of each area, and the effect of alcohol on specific areas of the brain and central nervous system
• Be able to identify different organ systems and the effect of alcohol on each specific system 

Lesson 3 – Alcohol and Electrolytes

This lesson examines the role of alcohol in relation to electrolyte balance in the body, and the potential effects of electrolyte imbalance on the cardiovascular and renal systems. 

On completion of this lesson the learner will: 

• Have sufficient knowledge to identify the role of alcohol in electrolyte imbalance
• Be aware of the potential effect of electrolyte imbalance on the cardiovascular and renal systems

Lesson 4 – Alcohol and Falls

This lesson discusses the relationship between alcohol and falls, and the effect of falls on elders

On completion of this lesson the learner will:

• Be aware of the risks to elders from falls, and the physical effects that falls may have on the body
• Be able to identify the role of alcohol in increasing the danger of falls in elders with dementia. 

Lesson 5 – Alcohol and Early Dementia

This lesson assesses the relationship between alcohol use and early dementia. The role of caregivers in risk assessment related to alcohol and driving vehicles is also discussed. 

On completion of this lesson the learner will:

• Understand the increased risks posed by consumption of alcohol by those with dementia.
• Understand the role of caregivers in risk assessing the safety of elders and the potential need for intervention in unsafe scenarios. 
• Be aware of the potential correlation between alcohol consumption and the onset of dementia, and the scientific evidence for this correlation. 

Lesson 6 – Dementia No-No’s: Caffeine and Alcohol

This lesson examines the overall effects of caffeine and alcohol on people with dementia, and any particular cautions caregivers need to be aware of. Strategies for reduction of consumption whilst maintaining quality of life for the elder are also discussed. 

On completion of the lesson the learner will: 

• Have further understanding of specific risks to elders from alcohol and caffeine consumption. 
• Have ideas for strategies to mitigate the risk of alcohol and caffeine consumption, whilst maintaining quality of life. 

Lesson 7 – Alcohol and Sleeping Medications

This lesson discusses the potentially dangerous consequences of consuming alcohol whilst taking sleeping medications

On completion of this lesson the learner will:

• Have a clear understanding of the severity of risk related to mixing sleeping medications with alcohol consumption
• Be able to identify the signs and symptoms of adverse effects to the elders resulting from consumption of alcohol alongside sleeping medications. 

Lesson 8 – Alcohol and the Liver

This lesson identifies the effects of alcohol on the liver.

On completion of this lesson the learner will:

1. Be able to identify the key effects of alcohol on liver health. 

Summary

This course examines the effects of alcohol and caffeine on people who have a diagnosis of dementia. On completion of this course learners will be able to identify key effects on specific bodily systems, alongside the effects on the elders mental wellbeing and behavior. Learners will be able to identify strategies to maintain elders’ quality of life whilst cutting down on alcohol and caffeine. Learners will be presented with sufficient knowledge to manage and make informed decisions about  alcohol and caffeine consumption in elders’ day to day lives.