You have to quickly learn how to address personality changes in seniors if someone in your family has cognitive issues. If you have never experienced it before, it could be overwhelming. One of the best ways to deal with it is to educate yourself before it happens.
Personality changes are frequent in seniors, and they can indicate several issues. Common health problems such as dementia and stroke can affect personalities.
If your loved one is undergoing a personality change, seek to understand this new side of them. They’re still your loved one – just a bit different from before.
5 Tips on How to Address Personality Changes in Seniors
Learn to handle personality changes in seniors by following these five tips:
1. Understand the Causes of Change – Physical and mental health changes can be the root cause of personality transformations.
- Issues such as dementia and stroke can turn your elderly loved one into a different person. This is partially caused by the impact of the disease on the brain. In addition, brain damage from a fall or an injury can change a personality.
- Personality changes can include a sudden lack of empathy. A person who used to be kind and generous can become angry and violent. Aggression and frustration can increase.
- Changes can be so drastic that families feel their loved one has become a stranger. However, it’s important to remember that illnesses that affect the brain can affect the personality, as well.
2. Avoid Comparisons – It’s not easy to avoid, but it’s important not to compare your loved one to his or her previous personality. Comparisons can hurt feelings.
- By avoiding comparisons, you’ll have the chance to understand and study the new personality and get to know each senior in a new way. You can view this is an opportunity instead of a setback.
3. Seek Help from a Support Network – A personality change in a loved one can be difficult to handle. You may benefit from a support network that understands the situation. Do you have other friends who are dealing with similar issues?
- Try to reach out to them. Personality changes aren’t easy to deal with on your own. Support networks can help you cope and give you an important place to discuss your frustrations.
- Caregivers and family members often feel alone and isolated as they try to help a person with a personality change. However, support groups can make a big difference.
4. Discuss Your Concerns with a Doctor – If you notice any type of personality changes in a loved one, it’s important to talk to a doctor.
- Doctors can help you understand how and why the personality changes occurred. They can also prescribe medications, treatments, and therapies that may help. In addition, they may point you in the direction of local support groups.
5. Consider Finding Outside Help – If you’re no longer able to take care of a loved one with cognitive issues, then you may need outside help. The help can range from visiting nurses to full-time caregivers who live with the person.
- Caregivers and family members often feel ashamed and guilty about asking for outside help. However, there is no shame in getting help during a difficult situation like this.
- You may benefit from getting a break by having a nurse or licensed caregiver take over some of the responsibilities. You may also want to consider assisted living care, too.
- It’s important to get help before you experience burn out and aren’t able to take care of your loved one.
How to Address Personality Changes in Seniors – Conclusion
Personality changes in seniors can indicate important health and mental issues that may need to be addressed. Talk to your doctor about the changes you see in your loved one.
