Interesting issue you have there.

I have a feeling I'm going to be there in the next 10-15 years if my Dad lives that long.

My Dad was an alcoholic and then he sobered up... when I was around 8/10 years old (I didn't live with him when he was a drunk). He stayed sober until I was 32 years old. I am now 35.

It was then that he retired and decided to sell the house (he and my stepmom got divorced)... and buy an RV to live. He also decided to start drinking again. Yep. A home on wheels AND drinking. Luckily he parks it at an RV park 90% of the year.

I have had to come to terms with the fact that he's going to kill himself with booze. There's no way a 63 year old man can drink from sun up to sun down... and live to be a ripe old age.

If he does live to be as old as you parents... I'm not sure what I'll do when he's falling down and ending up in the hospital because he's drunk and hurt himself.

Unfortunately, because they are causing phsyical harm to themselves that requires medical attention... you are going to have to get tough about them not drinking. If they were like my Dad... maintaining themselves and being drunk... I'd say leave them alone... but you can't do that.

Good luck and try to make their remaining days happy ones... as best you can... by finding a balance for everyone involved.