Almost 20 percent of the 60 and older population suffers from mental disorders that are, in fact, not part of the “normal” aging process, such as depression, anxiety disorders, and paranoia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
Many early signs of psychological distress are often overlooked, and therefore go untreated. They overlap with the physical and cognitive changes associated with aging, and various life events, such as the loss of loved ones, that frequently occur as people age.
For example, many people mistakenly believe becoming “senile,” or forgetting, is a natural progression of aging. Although one in four older adults experiences these events (known collectively as cognitive decline), they are not a normal part of healthy aging.
There are however, established methods of successful healthy aging:
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Maintaining a full set of activities and obligations, even after retirement |
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Maintaining an active social life with friends and family |
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Remaining physically active |
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Engaging in altruistic acts and seeking experiences that are meaningful and rewarding |
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Remain concerned with overall physical and mental health |
These are vulnerabilities or changes that commonly develop as part of the aging process:
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High frequency hearing loss |
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Thinning of hair |
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Loss of pigment in hair, and an increase in gray or white hair |
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Difficulty in maintaining muscle tone
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Increase in body fat
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Minor vision impairment, and necessity of reading glasses |
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Slight reduction of height |
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Dulling of “sharp” memory |
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Slowing of the retention and recall of new information |
Early detection can jump start treatment programs and significantly improve an elderly person’s quality of life. That’s why it’s crucial to recognize the warning signs that signal an older adult might be experiencing a greater physical or psychological problem.
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Disruption of regular sleep and appetite |
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Feelings of hopelessness, loss of pleasure, sadness, or death wish |
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Bodily preoccupations |
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Excessive anxiety and worry |
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Feelings of fatigue and loss of mental acuity |
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Loss of ability to think, reason, and exercise good judgment
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Inability to adjust to retirement
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Problems with “executive functioning,” or the ability to process new information, and formulate and activate plans of action
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Irritability or severe moodiness |
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Increased impulsive behaviors, such as gambling |
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Suspiciousness or accusatory attitude |
If you think that you or a loved one may be suffering from psychological distress, please call Friends Hospital at 215-831-6300 for more information, or visit our crisis center located at 4641 Roosevelt Boulevard, Philadelphia. |
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Friends Hospital
4641 Roosevelt Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19124–2399
1–800–889–0548
ABOUT FRIENDS HOSPITAL
Friends Hospital, founded by Quakers in 1813 in Philadelphia, Pa., is the nation’s first private psychiatric hospital, combining the principles of the
Quaker philosophy of moral treatment, with a modern approach to the care of mental and emotional illnesses. Today, Friends Hospital is recognized as one of the premier behavioral health hospitals in the
United States, treating more than six thousand patients each year through its inpatient programs and twelve thousand outpatients through its Crisis and Admissions Center. The Hospital staff is skilled at
treating virtually all psychiatric diagnoses, providing individualized programs for women, adolescents, adults, older adults and eating disorders. Friends Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission on
Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.
For more information, please visit www.friendshospital.com
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