How to Tell if Mom/Dad Has a Mental Disability (Part 2)

• Sad or depressed mood
  Do you remember the Pixar movie Inside Out? The message of the movie regarding emotions is extremely powerful. It teaches us that one could not truly feel happy if he or she has not experienced true sadness. It is normal to be sad and depressed. After all, it is part of the human emotion.

  But if this sad or depressed mood has lasted for more than two weeks already, it should be enough reason for you to feel worried. Depression in the elderly is as dangerous as cognitive impairment and persistent memory loss. Should this ever happen to your elderly, you need to mention this to their attending physician.

• Social withdrawal
  We all have our own set of friends. Being with them brings us happiness and pure bliss. It seems as if they are the brothers and/or sisters that we never had; or our siblings from another parent.

  Being socially withdrawn is not normal for older adults. In fact, they should be more outgoing due to the time they have in their hands. If you have noticed that mom or dad does not want to go out the way he or she used to, there may be underlying causes. It may be a warning sign that there is something wrong with their body or their mentality.

• Unexplained fatigue
  Growing old is tiresome as you would have to deal with the various changes in your body. Other than that, you no longer have the strength and/or the willpower to do the things you love. That is why rather than moving around, you would rather spend the rest of your days lying around the house.

  Yes, being old is tiring. But if ever you notice that your golden ager feels weary even if he or she did not do anything the whole day, you should consult their doctor. It could be a sign of mental illness.

  Along with unexplained fatigue, you also need to watch out for their sudden loss of energy and changes in their sleeping pattern.

• Unexplained physical problems
  If you are intrigued about how your old parent’s heart is doing, you can ask for a laboratory result from their attending physician. If you want to know the condition of their bones, x-rays can let you see through every muscles and tissues of their bodies.

  Every pain and problem plaguing the older family member can be explained by healthcare practitioners. By studying a patient’s blood and other laboratory results, medical experts can predict, diagnose, and spot medical conditions before it is too late.

  Physical problems among the elderly are normal. However, what is not normal are those physical problems that cannot be explained, even by the finest doctor in the world. You see, our condition is a reflection of what we think. Being mentally ill could bring about unexplained physical problems like constipation and aches.

When our loved ones age, they may experience some changes in their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Of course, this is a normal part of aging. But if your loved ones are experiencing the mentioned signs and symptoms, you need to call for help as early as now.

Once your elderly family member is diagnosed with a certain mental disorder, we know that it can be hard for you and the family. After all, caring for someone with mental illness can be draining, both physically and emotionally. However, these older adults cannot and should not be left alone to live by themselves, as untoward accidents may happen to them in the long run.

The good news is that RiteChoice Family Services, Inc. exists to serve older adults who are suffering from a mental disorder through our Senior Home Care in Pennsylvania. We believe that giving care in the house of the patient is the most ideal way to help the elderly cope with their current predicament.

Our caregivers are especially screened and trained to deal with cases such as yours, that is why you should not be hesitant to call for our help.