Senior News Line
Getting to the Bottom of Personality Changes
BYMATILDACHARLES

A recent issue of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter listed some ways to help a senior who's undergone a personality change.

If you have seen a change in a parent or spouse, you need to learn the reason for it and determine if the cause is a lifestyle change or is a medical or psychological problem.

First, and most important, a checkup is needed. The personality change could be from an undiagnosed condition with an easy fix.

Adapting to change isn't easy for anyone, and we seniors often struggle with changes that are thrust upon us by a loss of some kind: retirement, physical limitations or loss of a spouse or home location. The key is to look for something to replace that loss.

Ask for a change in behavior. Sometimes the senior might not realize how sharp her words have become, or how many days he's been wearing the same shirt. You might need to just point it out.

Speak your mind about how the personality change affects you, and make sure the senior knows you won't tolerate it.

Dig for the truth. Whose personality is it that's really changed? If a spouse has always been negative and only now do you object to it, it could be your own personality that's changing.

Get therapy. A group therapy setting can be a real eyeopener as one hears how others react to situations, and learn different ways to respond.

There are other reasons a senior's personality can change: It could be a warning of undiagnosed Alzheimer's disease. It could be from a medication or medication interaction. And unfortunately it could also be from substance abuse.

Whatever it is, you need to find out the cause of any personality change.

Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions. Do not send any material requiring return mail. Write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL32853-6475, or send e-mail to letters.kfws@hearstsc.com.

(c) 2007 King Features Synd., Inc.