05/20/2026
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đź’“ The Women's Alzheimer's Movement - WAM
Signs of depression, anxiety or worsening memory loss often go unnoticed in older adults — which is especially troubling, given the high rates of su***de among this age group.
“Sometimes, people don’t want to deal with small talk or pleasantries anymore, or they simply don’t want to be seen,” geriatric psychiatrist John Sanitato, MD recognizes. “This can result in social withdrawal, a lack of interest in activities and changes in appearance and comportment.”
Keep an eye on the people you love as they age. Pay attention, especially, if they:
-Stop enjoying things they used to love.
-Distance themselves from communities, activities and other social groups they used to be part of.
-Shower less often and/or stop caring about their appearance.
-Stop taking their medications or going to doctor’s appointments.
-Stop maintaining their home or yard, especially if they previously cared a lot about them.
-Miss bill payments or overpay their bills.
-Show other signs of dementia or cognitive impairment.
Your loved one may not ask for help or even realize they’re struggling with mental or cognitive health issues. But if you become aware, you can help set up an appointment with their primary care doctor. You can also call or text 988, known as the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline, from anywhere in the U.S. to be connected to professionals who can help you work through your concerns and figure out next steps. They can even send a mobile response team and provide long-term support.
“Early diagnosis is really important,” geriatric physician Kathleen Rogers, MD stresses. “The earlier you diagnose depression, anxiety or memory loss, you can put things in place to help prevent or delay further decline.”
