Home care assistance professionals have observed that Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a growing trend among the senior citizen population. It is possible that your mom or dad had obsessive or compulsive tendencies all of their life, and it got passed off as quirks or oddities, but now as they are spending more time alone and somewhat isolated, their compulsions may be disturbing their daily life and irritating others they encounter.
One behavior observed by home care assistance providers involves obsession about taking medication. Seniors may become agitated if the senior caregiver attempts to offer the medication a few minutes early or a few minutes late. The need for your parent to take their medication at the same time each day may create undue anxiety.
OCD may lead to hoarding. Home care assistance providers advise this is a combination of wanting to hold on to their past or their youth, and the fear of losing something of value. Although this syndrome may be part of an addictive personality, it is important to recognize your parent’s actions as symptoms, not as defects.
If your mom or dad has OCD symptoms home care assistance experts say they may have upsetting thoughts or rituals, like constant hand washing or folding of objects to comfort themselves. However, these rituals only assist their reduction in anxiety for a short period and then they repeat them again. Seeking advice from your parent’s medical team is recommended to support the reduction in symptoms.
Home care assistance experts stress that the difference between a healthy ritual and an obsessive ritual. We all have rituals. We all may check to ensure our home door is locked before going to sleep at night. However, if you have to check it numerous times and still feel insecure and place a chair in front of the door because you don’t think it is locked correctly, this is an obsession.
OCD is treatable, and home care assistance experts encourage treatment.
