Senior Living News

What Is ADHD?

ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It's a disorder of the brain that impacts how someone can focus on things or control certain behaviors. In children, ADHD is often associated with difficulty focusing on schoolwork or other tasks or the inability to sit still. However, these aren't the only ways ADHD presents, and this disorder can look different in adults.

Can You Develop ADHD as an Older Adult?

Yes, individuals can develop ADHD in adulthood. The cause of ADHD isn't known, but genetics and environmental factors are thought to play critical roles as risks for this condition. If someone develops ADHD as an adult, causes such as nutrition, brain injuries or long-time social or career environments may be factors.

It's also possible that someone is diagnosed with ADHD as an adult when they've had this condition their entire life. In some cases, children and young adults are simply skilled at masking the symptoms of ADHD. Either through their own learning processes or by emulating strong coping skills in the adults around them, children can learn strategies that help reduce the impact of ADHD symptoms on their lives. This can mean someone doesn't realize they might have ADHD until much later in life.

Understanding Symptoms of ADHD in Older Adults

ADHD symptoms vary widely from person to person, but some common signs of ADHD in older adults include:

• An unreliable memory. ADHD doesn't tend to lead to the consistent memory struggle that a condition like dementia does. Instead, you might find that you can easily remember certain things and fail to remember others. An older adult with ADHD may struggle to remember people's names while being able to recount every experience they have with other people in detail, for example.
• Constantly misplacing items. ADHD can lead to an "out of sight, out of mind" issue. Things that are out of sight don't exist in the person's mind in the same way they might for others, which can lead to losing items like smartphones, keys and other objects on a regular basis.
• Overtalking. Some individuals with ADHD talk much more than social norms might indicate is appropriate, often oversharing without realizing it. They might also have habits such as interrupting others.
• Struggling to learn new things. ADHD can make it harder to concentrate on learning tasks or committing new information or processes to memory. This could impact someone's ability to learn how to operate new technology, for example.
• Difficulty with day-to-day management. Adults of any age with ADHD may struggle to maintain orderly homes or manage finances.

Should You Seek an ADHD Diagnosis as an Older Adult?

‍It can be challenging to get an ADHD diagnosis as an older adult. First, many of the tools physicians and others currently have to identify ADHD were designed to work with children. Many of the evaluations and questions related to these tools don't apply to adults of any age and certainly not to adults in retirement. Second, many of the symptoms associated with ADHD are similar to the symptoms associated with natural aging processes or memory disorders such as dementia. This can contribute to a higher likelihood of misdiagnosis.

Because of this, it can often take a lot of work and time to receive a proper ADHD diagnosis as an older adult. Seniors may not want to spend this level of effort seeking a diagnosis, especially if they don't plan to get any type of clinical or medication-related treatment. Instead, if you think you might have ADHD as an older adult, you can try learning more about the condition and developing coping mechanisms that best fit your lifestyle. For instance, many adults with ADHD find digital planning tools like setting alarms and using to-do apps on their phones can help them better manage appointments, tasks and day-to-day functions.

It's important to talk with your medical provider if you're experiencing issues related to cognitive function and memory, however. Your doctor can help you understand if dementia or other memory conditions might be present. Early diagnosis of these conditions can help you seek treatment that may delay the onset of more severe phases.

Older adults who find they're struggling to maintain order in their homes or keep up with day-to-day living for any reason — whether it's a cognitive challenge, physical conditions or simply a lack of desire to do so much work in retirement — have options for seeking better living arrangements. Becoming a resident of our assisted living community in Phoenix, Arizona, lets you continue to live a vibrant lifestyle while getting help with many tasks, including housekeeping and medication management.