Warning Signs of Mental Illness in Older Adults (And What You Can Do About It)

Mental illness is becoming increasingly common in older adults. Fifteen percent of those over the age of 60 suffer from some kind of mental disorder. Often, however, the symptoms are mistaken as a normal sign of aging, and disregarded.  By educating yourself on the warning signs, you will be better equipped to detect a problem early on. Getting treatment for yourself or a loved one early may help prevent unnecessary suffering.

Memory Problems

Memory issues are considered a normal part of aging.  As a result, serious conditions, such as Alzheimer’s and even dementia, can go unnoticed for long periods of time. You may find that your loved one forgets their keys or even forgets to shut the window when they go out. This is completely normal, but if they forget to pay their bills, feed the dog or even their doctor’s appointments then this is a cause for concern. You may also find that they forget important dates, such as birthdays, events and weekly gatherings, and that they frequently ask for the same information over and over again.

It can be distressing to live with a forgetful person, but it is also distressful to the forgetful individual!  If it gets to the point where they no longer feel safe in their home or not want to leave the house at all, then you might want to look into dementia care for the elderly. You can find out more about that here.

 

Personal Care

Sometimes, a person with mental health difficulties may stop following their regular care routine. They may skip bathing, not get dressed in the morning or stop bothering to do the little extras, such as adding perfume or applying makeup. They may not want to shave, have a haircut or use deodorant. These may all seem like insignificant things, but they can be an indicator that something is wrong. If this is the case, then try to talk to them and find out why they have stopped doing the things they used to do.  You will be able to tell by their response if they are aware and that it is intentional, or if they just haven’t realized. Their answer will also help you to take the right course of action, whether it is hiring someone to come to their home to help, or whether it is time to move them into a care facility.



Withdrawing Socially

Individuals who suffer from mental illness often become very withdrawn. If your loved one isn’t as interested in activities as they once were, or if they no longer get excited about seeing the grandkids or going out to the local café with friends, this may be a warning sign. It may be that they find things like this physically difficult, or it may be that they just can’t cope with situations like this anymore. For example, they may avoid going to the café because they can’t get down the stairs properly and they feel self-conscious about it. They may also stop playing cards with their friends because they are having difficulty remembering all of the rules and how to play. If you think that this is the case then you try to be as understanding as possible. Pushing them into doing something that causes stress and anxiety may make their condition worse.  It may make them more fearful of going again at a later date. Instead, gently encourage them, or find alternative solutions. You may be able to find a simpler card game for them to play, or arrange for grandkids to visit and colour and paint rather than going to the park. Little things can help the suffering individual to regain their confidence and help them to find more enjoyment in life.

Changes in Mood

Sometimes you might be in a bad mood and there isn’t much that you can do to change it. It’s important to know that this is completely normal, but if you notice that a loved one has a change in their disposition then this is something ti keep an eye on. If a parent, or other elderly relative, once bubbly, excitable and energetic, becomes depressed, insecure, anxious or anti-social,  it may be cause for concern. If the symptoms or signs last for a couple of weeks or more, there may be a medical reason behind their altered personality. If you can, encourage them to reach out to a medical professional, who may be able to help them to manage their feelings and their mood more efficiently. A lot of older people find it hard to ask for help, but a sometimes a little encouragement can go a long way. It may be a sensitive topic to bring up, but showing compassion, understanding and an offer of support may make it easier for the to talk about it.

Difficulty Making Decisions

A person’s ability to make decisions is often affected by their memory. If your loved one is having memory problems then they may find it hard to make decisions. They may also change their mind over and over again without even realizing they are doing it. This can be frustrating to you and you may find that you lose your temper as well. Do your best to avoid showing your frustration as you can be sure that it is not pleasant for them either.  Memory loss can affect more than one aspect of your life, and decision-making is just one of them. If someone you know is having a hard time making decisions then they may also find it hard to remember what they enjoy and this can lead to anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses.