Mental Health Issues Faced by Elderly Patients

April 12, 2022

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Over 20% of global older adults aged at least 60 years old have mental health or neurological (related to the nervous system) disorders, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Such health issues may be more challenging for senior citizens than for other age groups.

A brain-imaging test can provide detailed images to help physicians determine the cause of such brain conditions.

Seniors diagnosed with cognitive disorders can use alternative therapies like meditation with repetitive sounds to help improve mental wellness.

Meanwhile, stretching exercises for sciatica may help relieve pain in areas like the back, hips, and legs. Sciatica is a pain in the path of the sciatic nerve.

Please continue reading to discover some common mental health conditions and disorders that senior patients may experience.

Clinical Depression

It’s quite common for people to experience the “blues” now and then. The Carpenters band sang about gloomy Rainy Days and Mondays (1974). However, if seniors have such emotions for weeks or months, they may be experiencing depression.

Depression is a severe mood disorder. It can affect your daily life. Potential effects include how you think, feel, and act.

Clinical depression isn’t a regular part of aging. In fact, research shows that older adults often experience life satisfaction even if they have more physical problems or illnesses.

Nevertheless, younger people who experience depression may be more likely to experience it as older adults.

Depression is a severe mental health condition. Still, treatments such as medications or counseling may help relieve or reduce depression symptoms.

The symptoms of clinical depression may include:

Trouble thinking or concentrating
Feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
Loss of interest in everyday activities such as hobbies
Slowed thinking or body movements
Lack of energy and tiredness
Anxiety and restlessness
Sleep disturbances (for example, insomnia or oversleeping)
Frustration, irritability, or angry outbursts
Reduced appetite and weight loss, or weight gain

Elderly patients may experience depression due to factors such as medical conditions or upcoming surgeries.

If you’re a senior citizen that may be clinically depressed, consult a doctor or mental health professional. They can suggest various treatments that may help reduce the symptoms of depression.

Memory Loss

Forgetting information from time to time, such as a name, phone number, or the current day is normal. Have you ever forgotten where you put your keys or glasses?

However, sometimes age-related memory loss occurs. You may constantly forget basic facts.

You may also have more severe memory lapses. An example is walking into the kitchen and forgetting why you went there. Such events that occur frequently are often related to aging and memory loss.

As people age, brain changes can affect mental functions like recalling and learning information.

A certain degree of memory issues is normal as people age. That said, severe memory problems are a different situation.

Common Causes of Age-Related Memory Loss

While various factors can cause this effect, here are some of the primary ones:

Less Blood Flows to the Brain

Oxygen and nutrients are crucial for brain function. Meanwhile, older adults may experience decreased blood flow to the brain. This factor may affect your memory and cognitive skills.

The Hippocampus Often Deteriorates With Age

The hippocampus is a complex brain structure significantly related to memory and learning.

Certain Hormones and Proteins in the Brain Decline With Age

These hormones and proteins protect and repair brain cells and stimulate neural growth.

Dementia

Dementia is a category of symptoms affecting thinking, memory, and social abilities. It affects them severely enough to impact individuals’ daily lives negatively.

The United States’ Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reported that 63% of older adults with dementia are at least 80 years old. Here are some of the possible cognitive symptoms of dementia:

Memory loss
Difficulty reasoning or problem-solving
Difficulty with visual or spatial abilities
Difficulting doing complex tasks
Difficulty with coordination
Difficulty organizing and planning
Difficulty communicating
Confusion and disorientation

Dementia itself isn’t a specific disease. However, various diseases induce dementia. Memory loss is among the common symptoms of dementia and can be an early sign of the cognitive condition.

Some dementia symptoms are reversible, although it’s dependent on their cause.

In older adults, Alzheimer’s disease is the most frequent cause of progressive dementia in seniors.

Anxiety Disorders

It’s common for elderly patients to experience some anxiousness about situations, such as an upcoming surgery.

However, anxiety disorders are a different situation and require the help of mental health professionals.

The American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP) reported that anxiety may impact up to 20% of older adults, although it’s often undiagnosed.

Some older adults may experience excessive worrying, nervousness, or fear. Such conditions may cause various physical and mental effects.

Remember that excessive anxiety that affects your daily activities isn’t a part of the normal aging process. Anxiety disorders may affect your ability to function daily.

Some anxiety disorders include:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Specific phobias
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Social phobia

The symptoms of anxiety disorders can vary and are related to specific types of conditions seniors experience. Some of the common symptoms include:

Chest pain
Heart palpitations
Muscle tension
Headaches
Fatigue
Dizziness or nausea
Digestion problems
Irritability or anger
Sweating

Wrap Up

These are among the most common mental health issues older adults may experience. If you suspect you may be experiencing such conditions, consult your doctor or a mental health professional immediately.