7 Mental Health Changes To Look Out For As Your Mom Ages

At any age, personality changes can be a sign of something more serious. But for someone in their later years, personality changes can be a particularly poignant symptom.

"If your mom is typically upbeat and positive, but now she’s more irritable and sad, this may be a sign of a mental health issue," Dr. Strait says. "Everyone has bad days, but if you notice several days in a row of strange behavior in your mom, talk to her doctor about your concerns." Personality changes can be caused by issues from depression to dementia, so keep an eye out.

Activity level can change based on a variety of physical and mental health conditions. Regardless of the cause, these changes are worth looking out for as your mother ages.

"As mothers get older, they may naturally slow down a little bit," Dr. Strait says. "She may not be able to get around as much as she used to. But if you see a considerable decrease in your mom’s activity level, this change may be due to depression or another mental health challenge." On top of that, chronic conditions or injuries that decrease mobility can cause depression as well. Let your mom know that you can lend a listening ear, and reach out for help if you've realized her change in activity level has been drastic.

Memory problems are one of the better-known mental health issues that come along with aging, but they can be hard to spot. "Your mother’s memory may slightly decline with age," Dr. Strait says. "But severe memory loss is not a normal part of aging." Everything from thyroid problems to depression and Alzheimer's can cause memory loss, so learning the signs is key.

"[Severe memory loss] does not mean the common misplacement of keys or remote but more of the things that could be life-threatening, such as forgetting to turn off the stove, forgetting their address, or [displaying] any disorientation," licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Cheryl Andaya tells Bustle. If any of these symptoms occur, encourage your mom to seek help.

Mood changes are another symptom that can occur with mental illnesses at any age, but can be particularly worrisome when they occur in someone who is aging.

"[Take note if you mom] exhibits more [sadness], is more subdued when they used to be high-spirited, or is more irritable than usual," Dr. Andaya says. These symptoms could just be a result of mood swings or her changing over the years, but also could potentially signal depression or neurological diseases like Alzheimer's or dementia. If your mom has become noticeably moodier over a sustained period of time, it's likely worth looking into.

If your mom is becoming less active, but still making time for friends and family, that may be a less worrisome sign of aging. If she becomes noticeably less social, however, you may need to take a closer look.

"Children should look for signs of isolation," Dr. Saranga says. "One major sign of depression is isolation. Feelings of loss and loneliness can cause them to socially withdraw ... You can help encouraging them to socialize. Make plans to do something with them even if it’s just to watch a movie or have a cup of coffee together. Support their interests and help combat isolation by doing things they once loved." So if you live close, plan a night to hang out with your mom doing something that makes you both happy. And if you're far away, try enlisting one of her friends or family members to do the same.

Sometimes, there is a fine line between sadness and depression, and as your mom ages and potentially experiences more loss, it's important to make sure she's healing as healthily as possible.

"Children should lookout for signs of grief," Dr. Saranga says, "... You can help by simply reaching out and communicating with your [mom]. Your compassion and company can help eliminate their feelings of loneliness. Encourage conversation and talk about happy memories that will brighten their mood. If grief goes on to the point that it interferes with their day-to-day functioning, it’s time to get professional help." Unfortunately, grief is a universal experience. But that means that the resources out there are plentiful.

One final symptom to look out for in your mother as she gets older is irritability. Of course, you may occasionally butt heads with your mom, or have parents prone to bickering, but prolonged or extreme bouts of anger are of particular concern.

"Children should lookout for signs of irritability," Dr. Saranga says, "... The aging process is not easy and it could cause frustration and resentment for those already living with pain and grief. Furthermore, irritability can be an earl sign of Alzheimer’s disease in the elderly. You can help [your mom] by focusing on the positive and ignoring the negative. Offer your support and try to figure out the cause of their irritability and anger to see if there are other ways you can help." As with a variety of issues, simply showing your support can go a long way.

As your mom ages, your relationship will grow and change. Keeping an eye out as she changes, too, is important. No matter what symptoms your mom may or may not be displaying, if you two are close, it is a loving act to do what you can to support her health.