Symptoms of Mental Illness in Seniors
Senior Care in Prince William County VA: Symptoms of Mental Illness
When people think about health concerns for senior citizens, they may not think of mental illness as being one of the issues that senior care providers have to contend with. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 20 percent of adults aged 55 and older have some sort of mental health issue. Unfortunately, when mental illness goes untreated, it can be a factor in suicide. Being familiar with the symptoms of mental illness allows senior care providers to notice a problem sooner and seek treatment promptly.
Kinds of Mental Illness.
The most common mental illness disorder in senior citizens is depression. It is considered a mood disorder. Depression rates go up with age, but that doesn’t mean that depression is a normal part of aging. Seniors who are depressed tend to have more medical bills because they often visit emergency rooms and doctors’ offices more often. They also tend to take more medication. This means that depression is not only dangerous, it’s also expensive.
Another common mood disorder for seniors is anxiety. In many cases, people with depression also experience anxiety. Unfortunately, anxiety in seniors isn’t a condition that is understood very well, which may be because senior citizens are less likely to seek help for their mental health symptoms and focus on physical symptoms instead.
Mental illness disorders that are not mood disorders are not as common among senior citizens, but are still possible.
Symptoms to Watch For.
Sometimes it’s hard to see the signs of mental illness in seniors. That’s because many senior citizens are reluctant to talk about their symptoms or may treat them as unimportant. The best way to detect symptoms of mental illness in seniors is to watch for pattern changes in their lives. They may change their sleeping or eating patterns or change other normal routines. Other symptoms to watch for include:
- Hyperactivity, which can be a sign of anxiety.
- Behavior changes, such as anger, aggression, or irritability.
- Strange behaviors or thought patterns that are concerning.
- Alcohol or drug use.
- Behaviors that are obsessive.
- Ongoing physical symptoms, like pain or headaches.
- Worrying more than usual.
- Trouble concentrating.
Senior Care Can Help.
If your parent has been diagnosed with a mental illness, hiring a senior care provider to provide in-home care could help with your parent’s treatment and recovery. A senior care provider can be an asset for keeping your parent on a regular medication schedule since they can remind your parent to take their medications at the scheduled times. A senior care provider can also provide companionship and a listening ear when your parent is in need.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional senior care in Prince William County, VA, please contact the caring staff at LivinRite Home Care. Call Us Today at (703) 634-9991. Serving Northern Virginia, The Valley, and Surrounding Communities
Sources
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/older-adults-and-mental-health/index.shtml
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs381/en/
https://www.ourparents.com/care-topics/2015/02/10/mental-illness-in-the-elderly-types-signs-and-treatment/
https://www.cdc.gov/aging/pdf/mental_health.pdf
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