As we grow older, certain changes take place in our brains. Some are common, others are not. A little forgetfulness may be normal, as is sadness and frustration in struggling with the challenges aging brings. However, mental changes that last for an unusually long period of time — or do not respond to common intervention methods – may indicate a more serious issue. If you notice any of these changes taking place in your elderly loved one, it may be a time for you to look into mental health services for seniors.
Symptoms of depression in seniors
One of the most common mental changes in seniors is depression. Depression affects more than 6.5 million Americans aged 65 years or older. The majority of people in this age group have actually experienced episodes of the illness throughout their lives, but that doesn’t mean it should be considered “stable.” Depression presents differently in older people than it does in those who are younger. Be on the lookout for symptoms such as:- Forgetfulness
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Poor appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Vague complaints of pain
- Insomnia
- Agitation
- Unwarranted help-seeking behavior
- Moving in a slow manner or “shuffling”
- Making unreasonable demands
Symptoms of anxiety in seniors
Many people don’t think of anxiety disorders when considering mental health services for seniors. However, anxiety is four to eight times more prevalent in the elderly than depression, and twice as common as dementia. Older adults frequently perceive anxiety as physical symptoms rather than emotional ones. So while you may not hear about signs such as constant worrying, your loved one could experience an increase in headaches, gastrointestinal distress, fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Once their doctor has ruled out a physical cause for these issues, look for the following additional signs of anxiety in seniors:- Weight gain or loss
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Insomnia
- Fearfulness about leaving the house
- Social isolation
- Misuse or abuse of prescription medication
Symptoms of dementia in seniors
In addition to anxiety and depression, dementia is a common factor among those who seek mental health services for seniors. Dementia is actually a catchall term for a collection of symptoms that affect cognition, mood, and behavior, but are not a normal part of aging. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, but there are others types, such as vascular or mixed dementia. At times, the condition comes on very suddenly, but it can also present gradually over a period of weeks or months. If you think your loved one may be suffering from dementia, keep a sharp eye out for issues such as:- Issues with memory
- Impaired judgment
- Poor reasoning
- Inappropriate behavior
- Difficulty communicating
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Trouble with walking, coordination, and balance
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Irritability or agitation
- Lack of attention to personal hygiene
- Forgetting to eat
- Lack of awareness for personal safety
- Repeatedly asking the same question or making the same statements
- Short attention span
- Not recognizing familiar people, places, and items
- Sudden difficulty performing routine tasks
