Aging is not always marked by sudden and noticeable changes like your hair turning white overnight or having to use a cane out of the blue. Instead, aging tends to occur quietly in the corners of our lives through small changes that we may miss unless we pay close attention.
To recognize these changes doesn’t mean to be “on watch” or bracing for the worst case scenario. This is more of an effort to develop a different literacy, one that involves recognizing the language that the body and mind may be using as they transition into a new phase.
The following are five such signs that indicate a loved one is struggling with the issues that come with aging.
Changes in Appetite or Noticeable Weight Loss
The very first change may reveal itself in the kitchen. You may see that there is less food stored in the refrigerator, or people around you say, “I’m just not really that hungry,” all too casually. This is important because nutrition gives strength to other processes that take place in the body.
There are multiple explanations behind this phenomenon. Physiologically, the process of aging dulls the senses of smell and taste so that food starts tasting like cardboard to older people. As noted by the researchers of Mayo Clinic, “reduced appetite in older adults” may also stem from side effects of hypertension or cholesterol-reducing medications that older people commonly use. Additionally, problems with teeth or poor digestion also make a meal an unpleasant experience.
However, we shouldn’t forget about the social aspect. Consider your favorite food; most likely, you enjoy it even more when dining with someone else. Preparing a full course for oneself might seem pointless to a lonely elderly individual who lives alone. Loneliness has a way of diminishing hunger.
Rather than constantly reminding them to “eat their greens,” try reintroducing food into their social life. Drop by with some food that can be shared. Alternatively, set up a “food preparation date” with the goal of creating smaller, quick meals together.
Ongoing Fatigue or a “Heavy” Loss of Energy
Everyone experiences fatigue, but this is something else entirely. This chronic, debilitating fatigue cannot be alleviated by a quick nap. Perhaps they no longer take their morning stroll, or maybe they have been lounging in their favorite recliner, watching the television all afternoon without much interest.
Physiologically, the heart and lungs require more effort to circulate oxygen throughout the body as we grow older. Chronic fatigue may also be the “silent” indication of ailments such as anemia or even depression, according to a study featured in The Lancet. Social isolation has even been linked to physical weariness; with fewer reasons to look forward to, the body’s “engine” idles.
Think about a grandfather who previously spent hours tending to his garden. Today, all he does when he sees the weeds is let out a sigh. This is not because he is being “lazy”; rather, it is because the effort involved is like scaling a mountain.
Emotional Withdrawal or “The Fog” of Memory
Undoubtedly, this is one of the most challenging signs to observe. You may realize that your family member is increasingly quiet at dinner time, or maybe they do not call their friends anymore. It seems like they are gradually withdrawing the curtains from their life.
It should be remembered that memory issues usually coincide with emotional withdrawal. It is not only about searching for lost things, such as keys; rather, it involves losing track of what they used to say for years, or even asking the same questions again after ten minutes have passed. Sometimes, such behaviors can be the first signs of cognitive impairment, but at the same time, they may indicate another medical condition called pseudo-dementia, in which depression causes similar memory issues.
According to the findings of National Institute on Aging researchers, forgetfulness is a common symptom among older adults, yet if it interferes with health and wellbeing, it is important to act.
Your most powerful weapon is patience. If they tell you a story twice, act like you’ve never heard it before. If they forget a word, allow them the chance to figure out what it was rather than completing the sentence for them. Dignity usually correlates with the ability to converse.
Slower Healing and “Linger-on” Illnesses
Don’t you think it’s strange that when they get a small scratch from something on their arm while gardening, it persists after several weeks? Or even that a common cold leaves them completely bedridden for up to a month?
One of the changes the body experiences when aging is known as “immunosenescence.” In essence, the immune system fails to react as quickly to infections as it used to. Not only do the “first responders” slow down in reaching a site of injury, but also the skin itself becomes thin and less well-supplied with blood, thus making any wounds heal slower.
This trend is also indicative of a person’s general lifestyle: slower healing can lead to a fear of falling or getting hurt, which in turn leads to less movement and more isolation. It’s a cycle that feeds itself.
Monitor the medicine cabinet. Make sure they have everything required to care for their injuries and that they remain well-hydrated. Being dehydrated is a big cause, and easy one to rectify, of delayed healing and skin problems among older individuals.
Changes in Circulation and the Rhythm of Breath
Finally, the last symptom is often the least apparent but can be the most serious. This would be the well-known “cold hands” problem. You may see your loved one wearing a sweater on an otherwise warm day or always wanting a blanket. This could mean that there are some changes in their circulatory system. The heart may not be pumping quite as vigorously to the extremities.
Another sign that you may see is the way that they breathe. Their breath may get very shallow or even exhibit a “sighing” rhythm. Although this is common with the elderly, it becomes more important to be aware of if there are any blue nails or if they suddenly feel dizzy.
These subtle alterations in temperature control and respiration can be addressed by having better body movements and ensuring that the environment remains “draft-free,” as recommended by the American Heart Association. This is because the aim is to stay within the “thermal comfort zone,” which will ensure that the energy of the body is used effectively.
Conclusion
Looking at this list, do not see these five warning signs as “problems needing solutions,” but rather as markers showing you what your loved one is experiencing right now.
Age is not a disease, nor an illness. It is merely another phase of life that becomes more challenging when done in isolation. And the best support you can give to an older person does not necessarily mean a solution, or even a professional intervention—it means your presence.
Your elderly relative may not need someone to solve all their problems, but they will certainly need someone who understands that their life is no longer the same.
