Understanding Personality Changes In Your Loved One

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As your loved one gets older, you may notice their personality change. But is that normal, or is it not normal? It can be concerning to watch your loved one get older, and unless you’re a professional, you may not know what to expect or how to help. Whether you have senior home care assistance helping your loved one or you’re helping on your own, here are some things you should know about personality changes in seniors.

Common Behavior Changes

Senior Home Care Essex County NJ - Understanding Personality Changes In Your Loved One

Senior Home Care Essex County NJ – Understanding Personality Changes In Your Loved One

The beautiful thing about life is that every person is different and has a unique personality. This means the changes can drastically differ from one person to the next. But you know your loved one best. You may be their daughter, son, or even grandchild. You have grown up with them and know what they’re like. Even senior home care will get a good feeling of who your senior loved one is and will be able to notice when something is off with them. When caring for a loved one, you must take time to observe who they are and who they are becoming.

Here are some common behavioral changes that don’t necessarily mean anything is wrong.

  • They Become Quiet

Growing up, you may have been used to getting lectured or having them teach you something. You may find they don’t lecture you as much as when you were little and as they get older. They may find they like the quiet and become more reserved with words. This doesn’t mean there is a problem with your loved one. Continue to talk to them and ensure they are engaging in conversation too. If they are ignoring you, that may be a different problem that should be addressed but may not have anything to do with major personality changes.

  • They Get Frustrated Easier

You may be used to your mom being as cool as a cucumber and never losing her composure. However, as someone gets older, they may find they have more limitations than they would care to admit. They may need more help from senior home care, or they may have to avoid doing certain activities because of limitations. This can lead to frustrations with their age. It doesn’t mean anything is wrong, but it can be hard to cope with. If you notice your senior is getting frustrated and not handling their new body well, it may be time to speak to a professional therapist who can give them tools to cope with this new age.

  • They May Go Out Less

As your body ages and you can’t do as many things, it becomes challenging and hard to go out. If your senior isn’t going out to things that require a lot of movement, this can be normal. However, they may try replacing it with an easier activity that allows them to socialize and get out of the house. If they are into concerts but can no longer stand in a crowd that will jolt them, invite them to go to music in the park where they can relax in the sunshine with family on a nice day. Going out less isn’t exactly a problem, but if they are socially isolated and refuse to see anyone, this could be a problem.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional Senior Home Care Services in Essex County NJ, please talk to the caring staff at Generations Home Health Care today. Providing Home Care in Somerset, Essex, Union, Morris, and Hunterdon Counties. Call us today at (908) 290-0691 or (973) 241-4534.

Susan Myer, RN, BSN, CCRN, CDP