Alzheimer's disease
Declines in cognitive functioning are part of the normal process of aging. Only about 1 to 20 percent of those who experience this decline will go from mild impairment to Alzheimer’s disease over a period of time. It is vitally important to assess for a diagnosis since early intervention with medications can delay the progression of the disease. Common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are:
- Memory loss
- Problems with reasoning and judgment
- Disorientation to time and place (long-term memory)
- Difficulty in learning
- Loss of language skills
- A decline in the ability to perform familiar tasks
Depression
It is more common for older adults to have depressive symptoms and what is now called minor depression than full-fledged depression. However, the effects are just as disabling. Again, a diagnosis is vital since medication and therapy can treat this illness. Common symptoms of depression include:
- Sleep disturbances; too little or too much sleep
- Fatigue
- Significant weight loss or weight gain
- Loss of appetite
- Feelings of worthlessness, hopeless ness and helplessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
- Loss of concentration
- Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
Substance abuse
Unfortunately, health care providers often overlook substance abuse among older adults because they don't know what to look for or they mistakenly assume that older adults cannot be successfully treated. Loved ones, too, may excuse an older relative's substance abuse as a result of grief or loss or a reaction to boredom. Older adults do as well as young people when it comes to treating substance abuse and they may even do somewhat better.
More than half of all prescriptions for older persons have some sedative. Using too much and/or combining prescriptions with alcohol can be deadly at any age and especially so among the elderly. Even over-the-counter non-prescription medications combined with prescription medications may build up in the system of an older person and cause serious symptoms due to a slower acting metabolism. Common signs to look for include:
- Drinks in a solitary, hidden way
- Loss of interest in activities and hobbies that once brought pleasure
- Drinks in spite of warnings on prescription labels
- Often has the smell of liquor on his/her breath or uses mouthwash
- Is often intoxicated or slightly tipsy and sometimes has slurred speech
- Is neglecting personal appearance and gaining or losing weight
- Complains of sleeplessness – overmedicating can lead to depressive/manic symptoms, and a continued lack of sleep only increases the debilitating cycle and loss of functioning
- Loss of appetite or chronic health complaints that seem to have no physical cause
- Has unexplained bruises or burns and tries to hide them
- Seems more depressed or hostile than usual
- Can’t handle routine chores and paperwork without making mistakes