By Hadley Gavin
Senior adults often need more personal attention that families can provide. Aging, changes in hormones and medical issues can lead to mental & behavioral health issues in seniors, and if your parent has been showing such signs, do not delay in seeking medical help. There are many hospitals that specialize in behavioral-health in Olathe, KS, and in this post, we are sharing a few details that may come in handy for taking the right step at the right time.
My parent is forgetting things. Do they have Alzheimer’s disease?
For the uninitiated, Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia, and the spectrum of dementia is broad in the truest sense. Just because your parent is forgetting a few things, or may not recall some of the smaller details of daily life doesn’t mean they have Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, some extent of memory loss is common with aging.
What are the other signs of behavioral health problems?
When it comes to behavioral health¸ you have to notice the various changes in your parent’s regular course of life. Does the person feel disinterested in everything around her/him? Has she/he lost interest in eating or socializing? Keep in mind that late-life psychiatric difficulties can be different for everyone, and therefore, it is necessary to consider medical help. Seniors usually respond well to early treatment plan, and it has to be a customized one, where the focus will be on comprehensive evaluations and diagnosis.
What to expect from the treatment?
If your parent is diagnosed with behavioral health issues, the medical history, current physical conditions and other details will be considered to draw a treatment plan. Besides medications, if required, behavioral interventions and specialized therapy may be recommended. In some cases, patient can be asked to join support groups too. The best behavioral health hospitals in Olathe also have in-patient stay option for a short period for patients who cannot manage to come to the facility on a regular basis. Besides treating the patient, the immediate family will be offered education, support and assistance as needed.
The overall wellness of the person depends largely on behavioral health, and if your parent needs help, you have to be the first one to take them for a comprehensive assessment. With minor psychiatric issues, medications may not be required at all, and often just some therapy can make a huge difference. Don’t wait for things to get worse.
