Disorders of Later Life

Aging or the late life. Geriatrics, as the field of medicine calls it.

According to psychiatry, there are “disorders of the late life.” 

When you become aware of them early enough before you turn senior, it could mean preventive medicine to help you live longer. 

Here are some of these recognized medical “disorders of late life:”

* GERIATRIC DEPRESSION

— depression during old age is typical, and it needs to be diagnosed and treated

— factors:  physical and cognitive decline, loss of self sufficiency or function, isolation, loss of loved ones, somatic complaints (eg. Head hurts, stomach upsets) that mask the depression

* DEMENTIA

— can be amnesia, delirium, of the Alzheimer’s type, disorientation of time and place, experience of illusions and hallucinations 

* PSEUDODEMENTIA

— cognitive difficulty caused by depression but may be mistaken for dementia

* LATE ONSET SCHIZOPHRENIA

— usually the onset is after 60, organic brain disease can be part of the differential diagnosis, psychotic episodes such as delusions or hallucinations may be experienced 

One of the good books I’d recommend is Dr. Paul Tournier’s book, “Learn To Grow Old,” for pre-seniors and seniors to effectively navigate the late life stage.

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