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Maybe it’s just part of getting older. Maybe it’s something more.
Aging can bring changes. Ttaking a little longer to remember a name or needing extra reminders can be expected. But other changes deserve a closer look, especially when they start to affect your daily life, safety, relationships, or independence. If you or someone you love feels more forgetful, withdrawn, anxious, or a little off, Author Health can help you sort through what may be going on and get the care you need to feel like yourself again.
What is typical aging?
Healthy aging can include small changes in memory and attention. Maybe you sometimes forget where you put your keys, lose track of a word now and then, or find that learning something new doesn’t come as easily as it once did. These changes can be frustrating, but usually you’re able to go about your day-to-day life.
Changes become more concerning when they are frequent, persistent, worsening, or impacting independence. That might look like missed bills, trouble managing medications, getting lost in familiar places, repeating the same questions often, or struggling with tasks that used to feel routine.
Signs to look for to get support
A lot of people who start to notice forgetfulness or thinking changes start to fear they’re destined for dementia. Some memory changes are due to causes other than dementia, and there’s still so much you can do to take care of your brain health.
You might be surprised to hear that anxiety or depression can show up later in life, even if you’ve never struggled with your mental health before. Sleep changes, grief, medication side effects, medical conditions, and substance use can all affect focus, memory, judgment, and motivation, too. A careful evaluation can help separate normal aging from something that needs more support.
Here are some signs to look out for that might indicate an evaluation or seeking support could be helpful.
Memory or thinking changes that disrupt daily life
Some forgetfulness happens with age, but concerns like repeating conversations, feeling confused in areas that are familiar to you, or losing independence due to memory lapses aren’t typical and don’t have to be your future.
Changes in your interests
If you find yourself pulling away from those you love, losing interest in activities you enjoy, sleeping too much or too little, experiencing persistent sadness, or feeling on edge much of the time, talk with your doctor to see if there’s an underlying issue that can be resolved.
Mood, worry, or socializing that changes daily routines
Anxiety and depression can also cause cognitive decline, like forgetfulness, fatigue, and mental fog. But the mental strain, worry, irritability, grief, or depression that can creep in during your later years can clear up with the right support.
Your mental health is starting to impact your physical well-being
Sometimes our emotional state can affect our physical health. If you’re experiencing excess fatigue, pain, headaches, or digestive problems that are holding you back, please talk with your doctor.
Your mind doesn’t feel like your own
New confusion, feeling lost or like people are after you, or seeing or hearing things others can’t are all concerning and need medical help right away.
Are the ways you work through stress no longer working? Or maybe how you’ve coped in the past is actually making things worse?
Are the ways you work through stress no longer working? Or maybe how you’ve coped in the past is actually making things worse?
Substance use that affects memory, safety, or judgment
Our older years can feel a lot more quiet. With more space, some seniors turn to alcohol, prescription medications, like sleep or pain medications, or other substances that can worsen mood and thinking changes. Support is available to help you enjoy the rest of your life.
Common questions about aging and mental health
Here are some commonly asked questions about typical aging and signs to look out for, but feel free to call us anytime to talk over anything on your mind.
Other Resources
Want more information? Check out our related resources.
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Getting a mental health diagnosis can be more simple than you might expect. It usually begins with a conversation. The goal is to understand what is bothering you, what could be causing it, and what kind of support could help.
Sundowning Syndrome: What is it and how caregivers can help
Sundowning is a pattern of increased confusion, agitation, and behavioral changes that happen in the late afternoon and evening hours. It is common in people living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. If symptoms or stress worsen, reach out to a doctor or virtual provider like Author Health for support.
How to talk to your loved one about getting their symptoms evaluated
If you’ve noticed changes in a loved one like irritability, confusion, or just acting out of character, it can be hard to know what to do or how to help. Here are some ways you can get the conversation started with someone you care for.
Anxiety, depression, and sleep changes in older adults
Mental health concerns in older adults are often missed because they do not always look the way people expect. Anxiety, depression, and sleep problems may show up as irritability, physical complaints, confusion, withdrawal, or changes in routine rather than obvious sadness or panic. Recognizing these quieter signs can make a major difference in getting help sooner.
How to start the conversation: Talking to a parent or loved one about mental health or memory changes
If you’ve noticed changes in a loved one like irritability, confusion, or just acting out of character, it can be hard to know what to do or how to help. Here are some ways you can get the conversation started with someone you care for.
When someone you love starts to change, it can be hard to know what is normal, what needs care, and what’s an emergency.
Some changes can be part of aging. But sudden, unsafe, or serious changes should be checked as soon as possible. If you’re concerned about someone you care for, please call 911 or seek medical care immediately.
Is this just growing old, or is this something more serious? How do I know when someone I love needs more help?
When someone you love starts acting differently, it can be hard to know what to make of it. While some changes can be normal with age, those that are out of character, getting worse, or affecting safety, independence, or relationships deserve a closer look.
You deserve care too
Caregiving takes ongoing emotional, physical, and mental effort. As rewarding as it can be, if you don’t have the support and tools for yourself, the day-to-day demands can quickly impact your health. When left unaddressed, the stress of caregiving can lead to long-term risks for depression, anxiety, sleep issues, chronic health conditions, and relationship strain.
When it comes to treatment, there’s more you have control over than you might think
Sometimes getting a diagnosis can feel like a relief, and other times it can feel crippling. With Author Health, you won’t need to wander around looking for answers anymore. We’re here to give you support and peace of mind so you can feel more like yourself and less defined by your diagnosis.
Maybe it’s just part of getting older. Maybe it’s something more.
Aging can bring changes. Ttaking a little longer to remember a name or needing extra reminders can be expected. But other changes deserve a closer look, especially when they start to affect your daily life, safety, relationships, or independence. If you or someone you love feels more forgetful, withdrawn, anxious, or a little off, Author Health can help you sort through what may be going on and get the care you need to feel like yourself again.
I’ve been feeling different lately. How do I know when to ask for help?
Everyone has an off day here and there, but when changes in someone’s mood, memory, or behavior are new, don’t go away, or are drastically out of character, it starts to impact daily life. If you’ve been feeling like something isn’t quite right, it never hurts to reach out to a loved one, your doctor, or a specialist.
You can feel like yourself again sooner than you might think
Whether you or someone you care for has been feeling or acting differently lately, you don’t have to face it alone. Author Health can help you find out what’s causing the changes you’re experiencing and find solutions so you can feel your best.