The world’s population is ageing fast. According to data released by the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 billion people in the world were aged 60 years or older in 2020. That figure will rise to 1.4 billion by 2030, representing one in six people globally.
By 2050, the number of people aged 60 years and over will double to reach 2.1 billion. In fact, the number of persons aged 80 years or older is expected to triple between 2020 and 2050 to reach 426 million.
As people get older, they experience a higher risk of developing physical and mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety disorders, reduced mobility, chronic pain,
frailty, dementia or other brain-related problems. So, how can one keep track of age-related mental or cognitive decline? Is there a particular age for that? Are there any signs to watch out for?
Experts feel some mental abilities tend to rise early in life but more often, this can be around the age of 40 years or later. It is important to know the brain function and mental power after 40. The brain is constantly functioning, learning, growing, and changing to different scenarios. But as brain function varies for different age groups there can be short-term memory peaks in early adulthood, emotional understanding during middle age while cognitive abilities decline between 60 and 70 years.
“Yes, the symptoms may be subtler and could be misconstrued as a normal part of ageing. For example, depression might present as physical complaints like fatigue or aches rather than classic emotional sadness. Similarly, anxiety might manifest as somatic symptoms like headaches or stomach aches. Recognising these atypical presentations is crucial for early diagnosis and understanding age-specific risk factors, such as hormonal changes or the impact of cumulative life experiences, helps in tailoring interventions for this demographic,” says Ritika Bhalla, clinical psychologist at Lissun, a mental health platform to provide end-to-end solution in mental and emotional health.
There are essential trigger points for brain function and capacity which medical experts in the field of mental health and behavioural science have studied.
Dr Rahul Chandhok, head consultant, mental health and behavioural science at Artemis Hospital Gurugram, says various trigger points include memory lapses, meaning forgetting things that have happened recently and facing difficulty in recalling familiar information.
“Struggling to concentrate or facing difficulty in decision making are other symptoms that indicate declining cognitive health. Furthermore, reduced ability to solve problems is another major symptom of declining brain function. Physical symptoms may include dizziness, headaches and fainting without any reason. Difficulty to perform routine activities like forgetting familiar routes, inability to manage finances, not being able to follow instructions also indicate cognitive decline. Other symptoms include social withdrawal, showing no interest in hobbies, avoiding social interactions, etc,” says Chandhok.
Early recognition of symptoms helps in early detection, thus early treatment can prevent the condition from getting more complicated. “If presence of these signs is suspected, contacting a healthcare professional might help in detecting early signs,” adds Chandhok.
Bhalla says an investigation is relevant in a demographic where societal norms, life transitions, and biological elements converge, shaping a unique terrain for mental well-being.
“Certain cognitive decline with age is anticipated. For instance, sudden forgetfulness or confusion beyond what is considered normal ageing could be a red flag. Other significant changes are found in appetite or weight, persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and difficulty in performing familiar tasks.
Family members must be attentive to substantial and persistent shifts in behaviour, mood, or cognitive abilities in contrast to the person’s usual state. Loved ones or trusted companions might be the initial ones to observe these alterations,” adds Bhalla.
Tackling the issue
As per experts, there is no ideal age to start tackling mental decline. But it is typically advised to start taking care of cognitive health from early adulthood.
“Having a healthy lifestyle can significantly help in ensuring good cognitive health and increases the possibilities of delaying the onset of cognitive decline. Take all the nutrients and antioxidants, be physically active, manage stress, and adequate sleep helps. Activities like socialising, interacting with people around etc improve cognitive health,” says Chandhok.
The childhood phase has a stimulating environment when curiosity and learning are encouraged and less screen time is given. It is ideal to have social interactions for good cognitive health. As for young adulthood, lifestyle habits and staying physically active, eating well and managing stress and sleep help while in middle adulthood, prioritising mental health becomes important. In later adulthood, prioritising mental health becomes critical as people in this age start experiencing mental problems.
Look for symptoms like social withdrawal, decreased motivation, or sleep disturbances, says Bhalla. “Excessive worry, restlessness, or panic attacks, dementia (while usually affecting individuals older than 65, early signs shouldn’t be ignored. Even as forgetfulness or difficulty with daily tasks, or mood swings, changes in energy levels, and altered sleep patterns are important to look for signs.
”However, a lot of the capacity building comes from destigmatising mental health, particularly for individuals over 40 years as it is an ongoing societal effort.“Societal attitudes and cultural barriers must be addressed to normalise discussions around mental health, with communities, workplaces, and families playing key roles in fostering empathy and understanding. Underdiagnosis and undertreatment of mental health issues in older adults due to stigma highlight the need to challenge biases equating help-seeking with weakness. Normalising mental health conversations, promoting self-care, and raising awareness about age-related mental health conditions are vital steps in destigmatisation efforts,” says Bhalla.
HEALTHY MIND FOR HEALTHY BODY
Lifestyle check
Maintaining cognitive health is a multi-faceted approach. Regular physical activity helps in ensuring improved brain health and enhanced memory
Play hard
Indulging in activities that cause mental stimulation like solving puzzles, interacting with people, reading, playing musical instruments help in improving cognitive health
Eat well
A healthy diet rich in proteins, vitamins and antioxidants is very beneficial for proper functioning of the brain
Manage diseases
Manage chronic conditions like hypertension, cholesterol, diabetes, etc, with the help of lifestyle changes and medication
Rest well
Get enough rest and take adequate sleep as it helps in maintaining overall brain health and improving cognitive function
Avoid alcohol
Refrain from consuming alcohol and smoking. Smoking and drinking are linked to declining cognitive health
Socialise often
Maintaining social connections and participating in social activities can help in reducing the risk of cognitive decline as these activities give the much-needed emotional support
No stress
Stress negatively impacts brain health & cognitive functions. It is important to manage stress by practising stress reduction techniques like meditation, relaxation exercises, etc
FIGURE IT OUT
- 1 in 6 people in the world will be aged 60 years or over by 2030, as per WHO
- Loneliness and social isolation are key risk factors for mental health conditions in later life
- 1 in 6 older adults experience abuse, often by their own care-givers
- Approximately 14% of adults aged 60 years and older live with a mental disorder
- Mental disorders among older adults account for 10.6% of the total years lived with disability for this age group
ELDER CARE
- Encourage open conversations about mental health concerns, create a safe space for expressing difficulties
- Regular physical activity, social engagement, and cognitive stimulation are vital for the well-being of the elderly
- Address mental health within the context of well-being, encompassing physical health, social connections, lifestyle factors
- Empower individuals over 40 years to actively participate in their mental health journey, involving them in decision-making and goal-setting
- Don’t hesitate to seek professional guidance from a qualified mental health professional familiar with age-related mental health concerns
