How to Handle Personality Changes in Seniors?

 Personality changes are frequent in senior citizens, 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.

Read more: 9 Practical Eating Strategies for Seniors

Learn to handle personality changes in seniors by following these tips:

1. Understand the cause of the change. Physical and mental health changes can be the root cause of personality transformations.

• Issues such as dementia and stroke can turn a senior citizen 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 mean. Aggression and frustration can increase.

• Changes can be so drastic that loved ones may feel the senior citizen has become a stranger. However, it’s important to remember that diseases 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 the seniors to their previous personality. Comparisons can hurt their feelings.

• By avoiding comparisons, you’ll have the chance to understand and study the new personality and get to know the person 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?

• 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 getting outside help. If you’re no longer able to take care of a loved one with a personality change, 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 nursing homes or other types of assisted living situations for the senior.

• It’s important to get help before you burn out and aren’t able to take care of your loved one.  

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.

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9 Practical Eating Strategies for Seniors

 Eating a well-balanced diet is an important part of staying healthy as you age. It can help you maintain a healthy weight, stay energized, and get the nutrients you need.

Checkout our 9 Practical Eating Strategies for Seniors

Good nutrition is vital to feeling your best and remaining active as you age. It’s important to eat a variety of healthy foods, but changes in our bodies and lifestyles can make that difficult.

Consider these facts about nutrition for seniors and practical strategies for sticking to a healthy diet.

Nutrition Basics for Seniors

1. Know how many calories you need. Due to a slowing metabolism, most people require fewer calories as they age. The exact number varies by age, gender and activity level. For example, a sedentary woman over age 50 needs about 1,600 calories a day while an active man may need at least 2,400.

• Avoid empty calories. One of the easiest ways to avoid extra pounds is to cut out junk food. Skip the fast food restaurants and munch on carrot sticks instead of potato chips.

• Focus on nutrient dense foods. Get most of your calories from vegetables, fruits and whole grains. In addition to the nutrients, they provide plenty of fiber which helps improve your digestion. Nutrient dense foods may even help lower your cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

• Select healthy fats. Keep eating fats with an emphasis on monounsaturated and polyunsaturated versions. Limit saturated fats that come from animals and trans fats found in many processed foods.

• Pick lean proteins. Get your protein from lean sources. Try to eat fish at least twice a week. Make a pot of three bean chili.

Practical Eating Strategies for Seniors

1. Talk with your doctor. Your doctor can help you eat right and avoid malnutrition. You may need to follow a specific diet to manage conditions like heart disease or diabetes. Ask your doctor if you think a medication is interfering with your diet. Your doctor may suggest ways to cope with it or change your prescription.

• See your dentist. Your dentist can also help you stay healthy. Proper dental care or dentures will help you eat the foods you love. If your mouth is temporarily sore, stick to soft fare like yogurt drinks and soup.

• Detect food sensitivities. As you age, you may find that your favorite foods are creating new issues. Ask your doctor to test you if you’re experiencing symptoms like diarrhea or gas. For conditions like lactose intolerance, try yogurt or almond milk instead of your usual milk.

• Outsmart your taste buds. Even our taste buds change as we age. If you have a more intense sweet tooth, try satisfying it with sugar free gum. You may be less sensitive to salty and bitter flavors, so experiment with spices to stimulate your appetite.

• Drink more water. Our sense of thirst also declines as we get older. Sip water or decaffeinated tea throughout the day rather than waiting until you feel thirsty.

• Cut back on salt. After the age of 51, we only need about 2/3 of a teaspoon of salt a day. Go easy with the salt shaker and opt for whole foods rather than processed items.

• Dine with others. Seniors sometimes lose interest in eating when it’s a solitary experience. Join a social club or invite guests over. Studies show that we eat more when we share meals.

• Practice food safety. If your immune system weakens over the years, you need to take extra precautions in the kitchen. Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Check expiration dates. When in doubt, throw it out.

• Access community services. There is help available for seniors with limited mobility or finances. Contact your local agency on aging for services that can help you eat better. Meals on Wheels will deliver food right to your door.

Your senior years can be the best time of your life if you remain healthy and active. Eating a healthy diet plays a big role in aging well.

An Elderly's Guide to Good Nutrition

 Nutrition is about eating a healthy and balanced diet so your body gets the nutrients that it needs. Eating a variety of foods from all food groups can help supply the nutrients a person needs as they age

Check this An Elderly's Guide to Good Nutrition

Good nutrition is vital to feeling your best and remaining active as you age. It’s important to eat a variety of healthy foods, but changes in our bodies and lifestyles can make that difficult.

Consider these facts about nutrition for seniors and practical strategies for sticking to a healthy diet.

Nutrition Basics for Seniors

1. Know how many calories you need. Due to a slowing metabolism, most people require fewer calories as they age. The exact number varies by age, gender and activity level. For example, a sedentary woman over age 50 needs about 1,600 calories a day while an active man may need at least 2,400.

• Avoid empty calories. One of the easiest ways to avoid extra pounds is to cut out junk food. Skip the fast food restaurants and munch on carrot sticks instead of potato chips.

• Focus on nutrient dense foods. Get most of your calories from vegetables, fruits and whole grains. In addition to the nutrients, they provide plenty of fiber which helps improve your digestion. Nutrient dense foods may even help lower your cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

• Select healthy fats. Keep eating fats with an emphasis on monounsaturated and polyunsaturated versions. Limit saturated fats that come from animals and trans fats found in many processed foods.

• Pick lean proteins. Get your protein from lean sources. Try to eat fish at least twice a week. Make a pot of three bean chili.

Practical Eating Strategies for Seniors

1. Talk with your doctor. Your doctor can help you eat right and avoid malnutrition. You may need to follow a specific diet to manage conditions like heart disease or diabetes. Ask your doctor if you think a medication is interfering with your diet. Your doctor may suggest ways to cope with it or change your prescription.

• See your dentist. Your dentist can also help you stay healthy. Proper dental care or dentures will help you eat the foods you love. If your mouth is temporarily sore, stick to soft fare like yogurt drinks and soup.

• Detect food sensitivities. As you age, you may find that your favorite foods are creating new issues. Ask your doctor to test you if you’re experiencing symptoms like diarrhea or gas. For conditions like lactose intolerance, try yogurt or almond milk instead of your usual milk.

• Outsmart your taste buds. Even our taste buds change as we age. If you have a more intense sweet tooth, try satisfying it with sugar free gum. You may be less sensitive to salty and bitter flavors, so experiment with spices to stimulate your appetite.

• Drink more water. Our sense of thirst also declines as we get older. Sip water or decaffeinated tea throughout the day rather than waiting until you feel thirsty.

• Cut back on salt. After the age of 51, we only need about 2/3 of a teaspoon of salt a day. Go easy with the salt shaker and opt for whole foods rather than processed items.

• Dine with others. Seniors sometimes lose interest in eating when it’s a solitary experience. Join a social club or invite guests over. Studies show that we eat more when we share meals.

• Practice food safety. If your immune system weakens over the years, you need to take extra precautions in the kitchen. Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Check expiration dates. When in doubt, throw it out.

• Access community services. There is help available for seniors with limited mobility or finances. Contact your local agency on aging for services that can help you eat better. Meals on Wheels will deliver food right to your door.

Your senior years can be the best time of your life if you remain healthy and active. Eating a healthy diet plays a big role in aging well.