Other Age-Related Changes

As well as physical changes, there are a variety of age-related psychological changes that may occur. Here are some examples of those possible changes. These changes may be due to, or at the very least, accompanied with, other physical, medical or social changes in the older adult. Depression and anxiety may be a result of physical changes, medical problems, or social issues in the older adult’s life. Depression can be caused by losses in the older adult’s life and/or chemical imbalances in the brain. These changes are not considered part of "normal" aging.

Thoughts of self-harm, including thoughts of suicide may preoccupy older, vulnerable adults who have experienced multiple losses or changes in their lives. Overall, older adults have a higher rate of suicide than other segments of the United States population, with older adult white males being at greatest risk. Primary care physicians have been encouraged to ask older adult residents directly if they have any thoughts of self-harm and if they have access or means, such as firearms. It is likely that older adult suicides are under-reported, due to the use of subtle means, like starvation (also known as failure-to-thrive), that may not appear on the death certificate of an older adult who also had other chronic or acute illnesses or disease that might explain death.

Losses and changes can also result in an increase in anxiety as well. A very common fear in older adulthood is becoming more dependent on others. This particular fear of dependency can make it more difficult for older adults to ask for help, even when they particularly need it.

Should losses and changes require a move to a new home setting, confusion may increase. Just as anyone else may be disoriented when moving from one living situation to another, older adults who transition to a care setting may experience confusion to a greater degree. This sense of confusion is more intense in people who have a disability in addition to an illness or disease. Be sure not to think of this type of confusion being part of dementia. Dementia is not part of the normal aging process so it is treated differently.