Personality changes are common in senior citizens, and they can signal a variety of problems. Dementia and stroke are two common health issues that can have an impact on a person’s personality. If your loved one is going through a personality change, try to figure out what’s going on. They’re still your loved one, but they’re not who they used to be.
Follow these tips to deal with personality changes in seniors:
- Recognize the source of the transition. Personality shifts may be triggered by changes in physical and mental health.
- Dementia and stroke can transform a senior citizen into a completely different individual. This is due in part to the disease’s effects on the brain. Furthermore, brain damage caused by a fall or an accident can alter one’s personality.
- A sudden loss of empathy is one example of a personality shift. Someone who was once kind and compassionate may become enraged and cruel. Aggression and anger are likely to rise.
- Changes may be so dramatic that family members can believe the senior has become a stranger. It’s important to note, however, that diseases of the brain may have an effect on one’s personality.
- Compare and contrast should be avoided. It’s difficult to resist, but it’s crucial to avoid comparing seniors to their previous personalities. They can be hurt by comparisons.
- You’ll have a better chance of understanding and studying the new personality and getting to know the individual in a new way if you avoid comparisons. Instead of seeing this as a loss, you should see it as an opportunity.
- Seek assistance from a support group. It can be difficult to cope with a loved one’s personality change. You can benefit from having a support system that is aware of your situation. Do you have any other friends who are going through something similar?
- Make contact with them. Personality shifts are difficult to manage on your own. Support groups will assist you in coping and provide an important forum for you to express your grievances.
- When trying to support an individual with a personality change, caregivers and family members frequently feel lonely and disconnected. Help groups, on the other hand, may make a significant difference.
- Consult a physician about your problems. It’s important to consult a doctor if you find any personality changes in a loved one.
- Doctors will assist you in determining how and why your personality has changed. They can also recommend medicines, procedures, and interventions that may be beneficial. Additionally, they may be able to refer you to local support groups.
- Consider enlisting outside assistance. You may need outside assistance if you are no longer able to care for a loved one who has undergone a personality change. Visiting nurses to full-time caregivers who work with the individual are all possible sources of assistance.
- Caregivers and family members also feel embarrassed and guilty about seeking outside assistance. However, there is no shame in seeking assistance in such a difficult situation.
- Having a nurse or licensed caregiver take on some of the duties could be beneficial to you. For the senior, you may want to suggest nursing homes or other forms of assisted living facilities.
- It’s important to seek treatment until you burn out and can no longer care for your loved one.
Seniors’ personality changes can suggest serious health and mental problems that need to be addressed. Discuss the improvements you’ve noticed in
