A
geing is a complex beast.
Some will age gracefully,
while others will go down
swinging. But there are
commonalities no matter how we
approach the inevitable, and one of them
is health problems, which can include the
development of mental illness.
For expats, it’s difficult to truly
know what’s happening back at home
with ageing parents, but there are
some signs and signals to watch out
for when it comes to mental health.
Spotting symptoms
In the beginning, there’s a fine
line between the natural decline
associated with ageing and the early
signs of something more serious.
Pardon the pun, but it’s a grey area.
Dr Jenifer Chan, a psychiatrist from
Central Health Medical Practice and
The London Medical Clinic, agrees:
“Even specialists have to rely on in-
depth assessments to establish what is
going on.”
Dr Chan advises you to look for the
following early warning signs, including:
• Mood disturbances:
A low mood
that persists beyond a fortnight, with
fatigue, loss of interest, loss of appetite
and sleep disturbances, can indicate
depression, as can social withdrawal,
a sense of worthlessness, inappropriate
guilt and hopelessness. Alternatively,
the person may develop aches and
pains and symptoms which may
initially appear to be physical in origin
but which are unexplained.
• Memory problems:
This is a
tough one, because normal ageing is
associated with some memory decline.
Watch out for short-term memory
issues like repeating questions within
a single conversation or Skype call;
misplacing items; getting lost on
routes; having trouble managing
money; leaving the gas on; and/or
muddling dates, names or faces.
• Personality changes:
These
include becoming less inhibited,
more apathetic, more aggressive,
more rigid, or showing a decline in
social judgement or a change from
their usual self, which can indicate
dementia. A general loss of interest or
complaint about memory loss can also
be a symptom of depression.
•
Basic care:
You might be
concerned for your parent’s ability to
look after himself or herself. It’s time
to act if you’re noticing they’re not
eating properly, cleaning the house,
washing clothes, or if their personal
Would you know how to spot the early signs of
mental illness?
Rebecca Simpson
has the scoop.
Signposts
hygiene is declining. Always ask
yourself, Do you think they’re safe?
What happens next?
If you suspect something more than
naturally getting older is bubbling
away, you need to speak up. “Normal
ageing is associated with age-related
memory decline. But it’s an illness
when older adults lose their ability to
look after themselves,” says Dr Chan.
She suggests having a loving, non-
confrontational conversation with your
parents at the first glimpse of decline.
This is to ensure a potential decline
is noted within your family and help
can be sought from a healthcare
professional. They can help manage
risks, determine if an illness is present
and offer available treatment options.
It is also important that all the
legal processes like a will, an enduring
power of attorney and advanced
medical directive can be discussed and
put in place, which ensures all family
members are ready for the future.
And this may also be a good time
to start researching options and costs
for private caseworkers, who can work
remotely and begin weekly face-to-
face check-ins for your parent’s safety
and your peace of mind.
December 2014
93
