10 Habits Elderly People Develop That Suggest A Serious Health Problem

Occasional shakiness is probably nothing to worry about — it happens to practically everyone from time to time. But if the older adult in your life starts experiencing tremors when they're just sitting still or those tremors become worse over time, that could potentially indicate a neurological condition like Parkinson's Disease, as the Cleveland Clinic reported. Dr. Michal Gostkowski, D.O., a neurologist, told the Cleveland Clinic in the previously-mentioned article that even if you don't think the tremor is a sign of a condition, it's probably still good to talk about it with a healthcare provider who may be able to determine the cause or triggers of the tremors, which hopefully will help minimize their impact.

There are many reasons why you might see the older person in your life eat less sometimes, but if you notice that they seem to be uninterested in eating in general, it could be cause for concern. ABC News reported that loss of appetite can sometimes be due to denture issues in adults with dentures. It could also be a sign of depression, dementia, and other serious issues.

Some adults experience increased difficulty with balance or coordination as they get older, but if it's something that seems to come on suddenly, that could be especially worrisome. Healthline reported that sudden speech, balance, or coordination problems could be indicative of a stroke. Strokes are, of course, very serious, so if you see your loved one exhibit symptoms, it's best to make sure they're addressed right away.

Fatigue is tricky, because it can be a symptom of a lot of different things, but one that you might not consider, but that affects many older people, is dehydration. The British Nutrition Foundation noted that even relatively minor dehydration can affect seniors' alertness, concentration, energy levels, and memory. Both nutrition and hydration are important things to monitor when it comes to older adults because all too many aren't eating well or getting enough fluids.

Aging can be lonely and loneliness can be a sign of depression. Older adults can be at risk for depression, as Healthline reported in the aforementioned article, because it's a period of life during which there can be a lot of loss and change. While some older adults might think that the way they're feeling is just part of life, if you recognize that they're socially isolated, you might want to look for other signs of depression as well, encourage them to talk to a professional or seek treatment, and encourage them to become more active in their social life.

Again, temporary shortness of breath is something that most people experience at some point, but if they're dealing with prolonged shortness of breath, it could be a red flag that something more serious is actually happening. Dr. Jason Fritz, M.D., a pulmonologist, told Penn Medicine that there are a myriad of conditions that could be contributing to their breathing problems, but that he is seeing more and more older adults coming in with this complaint. If they're also experiencing chest pain, dizziness, nighttime breathing problems, or other issues, it's definitely time to see a doctor.

If the older adult in your life is experiencing feelings of fear or uncertainty, that could indicate that they're dealing with anxiety. The American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry noted that about 10 to 20 percent of older adults might have anxiety, which, in many cases, may be undiagnosed. While they might not realize that they may have anxiety, encouraging them to seek treatment could help improve their quality of life.

Nearly everyone forgets things sometimes, right? The same is true for older adults. Not everything that they forget is a sign that there could be something more serious going on, but bigger issues like getting confused in a familiar setting could be. As the American Psychological Association noted, if you're concerned about dementia, speaking to a qualified medical professional can be a good first step. In many cases, they'll be able to tell you whether there's cause for concern or not and if there is, work with you to help make that person's quality of life the best that it can be.

Personality changes can be scary no matter when in life they seem to happen. In a post that he wrote for the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Paul Y. Takahashi, M.D., wrote that low blood sodium is especially common in older adults who take certain medications or have certain health conditions, and can sometimes change personality traits. If severe, it could be life-threatening. A doctor will be able to advise changes to their diet, hydration levels, medications, or other treatments that should help stabilize their blood sodium levels.

If the older adult in your life seems to suddenly stop taking care of themselves, that might be a sign that something is wrong. Donna Benton, director of the Caregiver Resource Center of Los Angeles County, told the Los Angeles Times that poor grooming habits could be signs of either mental or physical issues. It might be that they're not taking care of themselves because they're too frail to do so or because they're depressed, anxious, or showing signs of dementia.

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