OCD in the Elderly

Anxiety can be a normal reaction to stress, but when a senior’s fears, worries and coping mechanisms negatively affect their daily activities, relationships and quality of life, it crosses over into a serious mental health condition.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder that involves uncontrollable thoughts and ritualistic behaviors. In seniors, the onset of OCD symptoms later in life may actually indicate the beginnings of dementia.

The diagnosis and treatment of mental illness in the elderly is challenging yet critical. Increasing awareness of the unique relationship between aging and psychiatric disorders is the first step toward improving mental health care for older adults.

Elderly hoarding is something that most family caregivers do not anticipate having to deal with. This behavior often increases with age and creates a hazardous living environment for older adults. Take these 5 steps to help a senior who hoards.

Whether you are dealing with an angry, hostile elder or seeking answers on how to deal with irrational aging parents, we’ve compiled 10 difficult behaviors that elders exhibit and tips for coping with each of them.

Hoarding is an extreme “collecting” behavior seen in some people who have Alzheimer's disease and obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Fortunately, there are some strategies that caregivers and family members can use to help manage these behaviors.