Personality Changes With Age: Recognizing What's Normal
Orange County, CA, which encompasses Corona del Mar, a stunning seaside neighborhood in Newport Beach, is home to over 450,000 adults 65 and older, according to the Orange County Office on Aging. They currently account for 14.3% of the county's population, a percentage projected to rise to 17.3% by 2045. And as the OC government points out, as more adults reach their older years, they'll face many age-related changes, including those affecting their health.
Personality changes with age are perfect examples, as these intertwine with many aspects of senior health, from physical to mental and cognitive well-being. While many are normal, others are more concerning and could indicate declining health.
To that end, the caring team at Crown Cove, our senior living community in Corona del Mar, CA, put together this guide. Please read on for insights into determining normal vs. concerning senior behavior and cognitive changes.
Typical But Not Concerning Personality Changes With Age
As MentalHealth.com explains, personality, the unique behaviors, feelings, and thoughts that differentiate one person from another, tends to be more stable with increasing age. However, it also notes that considerable alterations in social roles and major life events can result in personality changes, including further development, even in adulthood.
Here are some personality-related changes that are typical and slight and shouldn't be a significant cause of concern as people age.
Becoming More Agreeable
Agreeableness, one of the five personality dimensions known as the "Big Five," is a trait associated with being:
- Helpful
- Warm
- Generous
- Kind
- Friendly
- Cooperative
- Affectionate
- Empathetic
Psychology Today points out that agreeableness is a malleable personality trait and that time makes people more agreeable. It further states that older folks are "more likely to go with the flow of life."
Changes in Conscientiousness
Conscientiousness, another of the Big Five, is a personality trait described as being:
- Responsible
- Careful
- Diligent
Conscientious individuals often want to perform tasks well and take their obligations to others seriously. They tend to be hardworking, organized, and efficient.
According to a study published on ScienceDirect.com, conscientiousness generally increases with age, up to middle adulthood. It peaks at 55 before decreasing in late adulthood.
Decreased Neuroticism
Neuroticism, also part of the Big Five, is a personality trait characterized by:
- Low emotional stability
- Increased susceptibility to stress
- Tendency to experience negative emotions
As people age, they tend to become less neurotic, which helps explain the connection between aging and mood. Such a positive change may result from a combination of factors, such as the brain maturing and the accumulation of positive life experiences. Some older adults may also experience less neuroticism as their ability to manage stress with aging improves.
Worrisome Personality Changes That Could Indicate Underlying Problems
Personality changes with age are usually gradual since they often result from a person maturing and gaining positive life experiences. For the same reason, if your aging loved one displays sudden and drastic personality changes, especially those clearly out of character and don't have a clear explanation, please take these as red flags.
Changes in Mood
Have you noticed significant shifts in your older loved one's moods, such as:
- Increased anxiety
- Irritability, even aggression
- Difficulty concentrating
- Persistent sadness
- Loss of interest in activities
- Fatigue
- Increased bouts of crying
- Mania
If yes, please know that such changes could indicate mental health conditions. While problems related to mental wellness in aging aren't as common as in younger populations, mental health problems still affect one in four older adults, notes WebMD.
Significant Increase in Neuroticism
While neuroticism typically diminishes with age, some people have a genetic predisposition to being neurotic.
Still, a drastic increase in neuroticism could be an early sign of cognitive decline or dementia, especially in an older loved one who used to be more positive about life. It could also have something to do with mental health concerns, such as late-life depression.
Sometimes, significant life changes, such as the loss of a spouse, dear friend, or family member, may also result in increased neuroticism in older adults. Living alone, especially for prolonged periods, may also make seniors more negative about life. Negativity can be a sign of social isolation, loneliness, or both.
Emotional Lability
Emotional lability is a rapid and often exaggerated shift in emotion or mood. Some of the most common symptoms are:
- Uncontrollable laughing or crying that is unexplainable or inappropriate to the situation
- Sudden and unexpected changes in emotional expressions (e.g., from crying to laughing or vice versa)
- Temper outbursts
- Drastic increase in irritability, agitation, and other negative emotions
Emotional lability can result from many health conditions, including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Dementia
What to Do if Your Aging Loved One Experiences Personality Changes
The first, most crucial step in such situations is to speak with your loved one. They may be going through a rough time, especially if they live alone, and need:
- Help with activities of daily living (ADLs)
- Emotional support
- Mental and cognitive stimulation
If you suspect that a physical, mental, or cognitive health condition is behind your aging loved one's personality changes, please don't delay seeking professional support and guidance.
Just as crucial is to consider talking to your older loved one about transitioning to a senior living community like Crown Cove. We proudly deliver highly personalized and tailored assisted living and memory care support in Corona del Mar, CA. Our beautiful, serene, and loving community, overlooking the majestic Pacific Ocean, employs a team of compassionate care providers available to help 24/7.
Whether your older loved one needs help with ADLs, socialization, companionship, cognitive stimulation, or delicious, nutritious dining, our staff is always ready to provide all these (and more!).
Help Your Older Loved One Manage Age-Related Changes
As you learned in this guide, some personality changes with age are typical and okay, perhaps even positive (e.g., being more agreeable, conscientious, and less neurotic). However, others, especially drastic, sudden, and unexplainable changes, should be a cause of concern, as they can indicate problems with an older adult's cognitive, mental, and emotional health.
If you have a family member living alone and experiencing age-related changes, Crown Cove, our warm and loving senior living community in Corona del Mar, CA, can help you care for your older loved one.
Call us today to schedule a tour of our community and discover how we help our older residents live life to the fullest!