Aging Red Flags: Personality Changes In Senior Loved Ones

We all experience ups and downs, and seniors aren’t any different. However, notable personality changes in elderly loved ones require assessment by medical or senior care professionals.

Behavioral Or Personality Changes To Should Pay Attention To In Seniors

It’s not uncommon for adults 65 or older to get set in their ways, have a hard time changing their routine, or feel grumpy from time to time due to everyday, age-related aches, pains, or changes in physical ability. 

However, significant changes in a loved one’s personality or behaviors warrant investigation.

Here are some of the most common personality changes indicating something more significant needs to be addressed.

 If you notice any of the following shifts in behavior, we recommend checking in with your loved one’s primary healthcare provider(s) or scheduling an assessment with a senior care specialist.

Retreating from social life or disinterest in favorite activities

Social engagement is a critical component of human health and well-being, especially for adults 65+ who live alone or lack regular transportation access. Studies overwhelmingly demonstrate that social isolation in seniors has detrimental effects on physical as well as mental/emotional health.

If you notice your parent or grandparent no longer gets together with friends or peers, are reluctant to attend religious services or social gatherings, or no longer do the things they loved to do - find out why.

Some of the most common causes of this behavioral change are:

• Embarrassment about an inability to perform routine hygiene and self-care tasks.
• The beginning of dementia-related memory loss makes it difficult to remember names and faces.
• Depression
• Incontinence.
• Instability or mobility issues they are unable or embarrassed to address with a cane or walker.

Becoming unusually reactive, angry, belligerent, or even violent

It’s not surprising that older adults may become grouchier or more reactive than usual. This is especially true if they are no longer able to do the things they love, they’re grieving the loss of their spouse or close friends, or they have medical conditions that cause them pain or discomfort. 

If all of the above is true for your aging loved one, start by addressing each of those issues to see if some support around the root cause(s) helps to bring back their more patient, content selves.

However, unusual escalations in reactivity, anger, or violence are often tied to cognitive changes and are frequently side effects of Alzheimer’s or dementia. This requires attention ASAP or your parent/grandparent could wind up doing irreversible harm to themselves or someone else.

They are always sad or seem depressed

We mentioned that a social retreat or the cessation of doing the things they enjoyed can be a sign of senior depression. Consistent sad feelings, feeling hopeless or unwanted, and other signs indicate seniors may be depressed.  Seniors have a higher risk of depression than others for a variety of reasons, with the death of their spouse, partner, or close friend being a significant trigger. 

Accurately identifying and treating depression can make a tremendous difference in the quality (and appreciation) of daily life. In addition to some of the things we mentioned above, signs of senior depression include:

• Sleeping all the time.
• Lack of energy.
• Over- or under-eating.
• Expressing feelings that their lives, or the lives of others, would be better without them.
• Turning down social engagements or weekly gatherings they used to enjoy.
• Mental fogginess.
• The inability to focus.

Sometimes, a general malaise or depression is assumed to be the beginnings of memory loss or written off as a natural byproduct of aging - which it is not. Signs and symptoms of depression and other behavioral changes should always be taken seriously.

Potential Causes Of Personality Or Behavior Changes

We’ve talked about some of the most common factors that could change a senior’s behavior, like the onset of dementia or grieving the loss of spouses, partners, or close friends who have died. 

Other factors that may contribute to personality changes include:

The death or relocation of loved ones & friends

The relocation of aging friends and peers to senior care facilities or to long-distance locations so they’re harder to keep in touch with. Your family unit may be very close, but family is not the same as having a spouse/partner friends, and peers close by. Individual or group grief support can be helpful to provide a sounding board, and so they don’t feel so alone. Finding ways to connect with the wider community can also be helpful.

Progressive vision, hearing loss, or declines in physical ability

Unmanaged progression of vision or hearing loss can make it difficult to keep up with conversations, television programs, and other activities, taking the zest out of life. Similarly, mobility challenges or the loss of dexterity in the hands can make it impossible to do the same hobbies, crafts, or physical activities they used to enjoy.

Medication side effects or contraindications (reactions)

Medication side effects can notably alter a person’s behaviors, personality, physical limitations, and cognitive abilities. This is often overlooked, especially when prescriptions come from a range of physicians/specialists who aren’t coordinating care. We recommend anyone on multiple medications have an annual review of their prescriptions/supplements with a pharmacist to rule out contraindications or doses that may be too high/low.

Urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can show up very differently in seniors compared to the younger population. In adults 65+, UTIs can be asymptomatic and lead to mental confusion or dementia-like symptoms. If you notice a sudden onset of behavioral or personality changes, it’s worth scheduling a physical and requesting urine testing, as well as a review of medications/doses.

Poor sleep habits

Seniors are prone to insomnia and interrupted sleep, which can lead to a chronic lack of sleep. Loss of sleep contributes to a range of side effects, so finding ways to establish healthy sleep habits can make a noticeable difference. 

Things you can do to support healthier sleep include getting more physical exercise and movement each day, adequate social engagement, and avoiding stimulants in the hours before bedtime.

Senior Home Care Specialists Can Prevent & Support Personality Changes

The team at HomeAide Home Care is well-versed in how aging and age-related scenarios contribute to personality changes in senior loved ones. Our free, no-obligation in-home assessments are a great place to start. From there, we can discuss how home care services can be tailored to meet your loved one’s needs. 

From providing satisfying companionship and transportation services to running errands, making meals, and supporting their daily routine, we’re here to ensure your parent or grandparent can enjoy a higher quality of life each and every day. Contact us to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can support your family.