my uncle lives on his own and drinks a bottle of whisky a day, how can i get him to cut down? he's 85?

Question

he never married and doesn't really have any interests except horse racing, he'll do himself damage and I'm at a loss as to what to do

Answer 1

at 85 I would say don't worry about it

Answer 2

I agree with the first answerer - at 85 it's too late to worry. Maybe he's lived this long because he's pickled his insides! Seriously, elderly people making drastic changes, even giving up smoking, after a lifetime, have been known to get sick as a result, perhaps because of stress. At that age, drastic changes could do your uncle more harm than good. Let him alone, it sounds as if he's perfectly content with his life, let him enjoy the rest of it in peace.

Answer 3

OK...he's 85 and a big boy. Chances are if he sobered up, it might put an unhealthy strain on his old body... Let him live. He must be doing ok, he made it to 85! Which I might add is above the average for men.

I know you are trying to be helpful and you think by sobering up, he might live longer, but let's face the facts. How much longer will being sober add to his life? No Idea right?

I'd personally rather live shorter happily tha longer miserably...
Keep that in mind.

Answer 4

The man has made it to 85 years old - if he wants to drink whiskey, and go to the races, let him. What the heck could it possibly hurt?

Besides, you couldn't "make him" cut down, whether he was 85, or 25. He has to want to cut down - if you "make him", all it's going to do is breed anger on his part. Then, he'll eventually start drinking more, and just lie to you about it.

Answer 5

Dear Eileen,
glad to know your concern. very few in his world.

I will briefly list a conversation I had a few years back with a very good Cardiovascular specialist, whom i consulted for grandpa's constant dry coughing at the age of abt 80+ and having smoked abt 25 fags a day for last 40+ years.

the doc with an experience of more than 40 years, looked at me when i told him to advise my grandpa to cut smoking. his reply:" why do you want to spoil his last few years. He has lived for 40 years with his smoking and nothing has happened to him accept may be a few bouts of coughing. Under no circumstances, am I going to advise him to stop now. Let him live his balance years with fun and passion instead of guilt and stress.

May be the doc was right. Re: your uncle, God has shown mercy for last 85 years. I dont think he would change that for the rest few.

Good Luck.

Dimple bakhda

Answer 6

he's 85 yrs old. I think he's way past changing his ways. You probably love him and are concerned, but at 85, he has lived probably a full life, and can belt down a bottle of whiskey?....I say let him do what he wants, as long as he isn't driving....your about 40 years too late to get him to change now.....but your concern is admirable.....hope he wins at the tracks....

Answer 7

get him to switch to a more expensive whiskey, so he can only afford 5 bottles a week instead of 7?...

really babes at 85 there isnt much really that you would/could do, so long as he isnt violent, and he is enjoying himself then just be with him for company, let him enjoy the twilight of his life....

Answer 8

Your uncle is 85 years old? Is he drunk? When he is not looking flush some down the sink. That will make his cut down on the whiskey.

Answer 9

Actually there is nothing else you can do but be supportive and be concerned... If that makes him happy and he enjoys drinking, dont deprive him of his joy. Yes i know he's old and is probably just waiting for life to pass him by... but if u get to control him, he'd be depressed with life and you'd just mendle with life he chose.

Answer 10

It seems your uncle is living in his own private hell and he is determined to self-destruct without anyone's interference. I know you want to help him, but some people don't want to be helped.

I sure hope I'm wrong and you find a marvelous way to prove it. Best wishes.