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Is your parent throwing a tantrum because something isn’t going their way? You might think that only children throw tantrums, but seniors are also capable of this behavior from time to time. Ever wondered why your elderly parents occasionally behave like kids?
Elderly parents sometimes behave like children because they experience age regression. Age regression can happen due to declining memory and cognitive functions in seniors. When older people start to have diminished brain functions, they sometimes forget how to behave like adults.
Let’s look at why some elderly parents experience age regression and what kinds of childlike behaviors you can watch out for. You will also learn what you can do when an older person begins to behave like a child.
Reasons for Age Regression in the Elderly
Age regression occurs when a mature adult’s behavior reverts to a younger state, like a child’s. As children, you will likely be the first to notice if your parents start showing signs of age regression due to changes in their personality.
There are several possible reasons for childlike behavior in the elderly, namely:
- Memory loss
- Cognitive decline
- Dementia
Psychiatrists often diagnose age regression as a coping mechanism for adults dealing with trauma, stress, or frustration. However, there are two types of age regression: voluntary and involuntary. Sometimes, elderly adults experience involuntary age regression due to changes in their mental health.
Childlike Behavior in the Elderly
Seniors are not children, so what kind of behavior makes them seem childlike?
When you first notice your parent engaging in some of these actions, you may want to consider that they might be regressing back to immaturity:
- Emotional outbursts
- Talking back
- Lower sense of logic and reasoning
- Showing confusion and needing assistance for easy tasks
- Forgetting or having difficulty finding their words
Childish behavior from an elderly person can be worrying, but it is not uncommon. This is why old age is often characterized as a person’s “second childhood,” where seniors rely on others for care and are susceptible to dementia.
Memory Loss and Cognitive Decline
A primary reason for immature behavior in the elderly is memory loss. As a person ages, they may experience mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
MCI brings about personality and mental changes that are easily noticeable. However, the afflicted individual can still carry out their daily activities. Symptoms of MCI include:
- Memory loss
- A decline in visual perception
- Impaired judgment
- Reduced thinking skills
Memory loss is linked to childish behavior in seniors because they begin to forget how to behave. The aging adult may “forget” the knowledge they gained throughout their lives.
Typically, our brains are fully formed by the time we reach age 20. MCI is more prevalent in individuals above 60 — that’s 40 years of lessons that an experienced brain is involuntarily deleting. Hence, speech and behavior are less well-managed in the elderly than in a middle-aged grown-up.
In some cases, MCI is reversible and can be improved with conventional treatment. These instances of MCI could be caused by:
- Medication side effects
- Delirium due to a severe illness
- Depression
Talk to their doctor if you notice that your aging parent may be suffering from MCI. Treatment of MCI can result in the patient recovering their normal cognitive state or at least prevent further deterioration. However, some elderly patients can go on to develop dementia instead.
Dementia
Dementia is a broad term used to characterize mental conditions that make it hard to remember, think, and make decisions. It is a progressive condition that interferes with daily activities.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, while 12-18% of people above the age of 60 live with MCI, it is estimated that only 10-15% of American individuals end up contracting dementia annually. So not everyone who suffers from memory loss will develop dementia.
Dementia is not common in the normal aging process. While some loss of memory and motor function can be expected in the elderly, they are still capable of retaining learned experiences and language abilities. Dementia occurs when brain functions deteriorate to the point where an older person can no longer function without assistance from others.
Childlike behavior is typical in dementia patients because their memory impairment causes them to forget themselves. Memory impairment is an early symptom of dementia, the most common being Alzheimer’s. Sometimes, seniors with early-stage dementia may act out like children because they are frustrated with the conditions of the illness.
After memory loss, early indications of dementia include:
- Problems with memory, attention, communication, logic, and reasoning
- Being unable to find the way home
- Forgetting the names of close acquaintances
- Referring to everyday objects using unusual words
- Misplacing belongings in weird places
However, scientific evidence proves that it is possible to reduce the risk of developing dementia through mentally stimulating activities. Playing 20 minutes of word games or puzzles helps reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
For your elderly parents, why not get the Brain Health Puzzle Book (available on Amazon.com)? It contains games like sudoku, crossword puzzles, and cryptograms to improve brain health. You will also find introductions to each exercise and explanations of how the games work to sharpen your mental skills.
On top of all the mental changes I discussed above, elderly parents exhibit other behavioral changes. I’ve written another article where I cover other reasons for changes in elderly parents. 6 Reasons Why Parents Change as They Get Older
What To Do When an Elderly Parent Behaves Like a Child
When an elderly parent behaves like a child, there are several things you can do to address the behavior. Whether they have an occasional outburst or make a mess of things, elderly parents still require care and deserve to be treated with respect.
Here are some things you can do when handling an aging parent who is displaying immature behavior:
- Understand your parent’s condition. Sometimes, they say and do things they do not mean because they can’t control their faculties.
- Be patient with them. Maintain your calm when they make a fuss — try your best to not react negatively when a parent is being cranky.
- Be kind to yourself. Don’t blame yourself for your parent’s behavior and how they react. Also, remember to create time for yourself and indulge in hobbies you enjoy.
- Seek help when you need to. Ask for assistance from family members when you need an extra hand. Hiring a caregiver or moving your parents into an assisted living facility can be a welcome solution if things become too much to handle.
Final Words
Elderly parents sometimes behave like children because they experience memory loss and cognitive decline. Losing the memories and knowledge they have gained over the years causes them to forget how to manage their speech and behavior.
In the early stages, this is known as mild cognitive impairment. However, MCI can lead to dementia, though this is not always the case.
Consult a doctor if you notice any personality changes in your elderly parent for early diagnosis and treatment.
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