When I was interviewing Betty for my article, "The Many Faces of ADHD - ADHD at 85: Betty's Profile", I did some research on ADHD and the elderly and was shocked when I found virtually nothing on the topic; just a few short informal articles.
As our population ages, so will those curren...
ADHD in the Elderly
10/13/09 9:44am
Terry,
I realized a couple of years ago that my Mother, now age 74, has undiagnosed ADHD. I am as sure of it as I can be based on all of the reading I have done, and on my knowledge of my Mother. I have always known she was different than other people. I have known she was depressed, anxous, etc. My husbend said something, and it just clicked.
It is such a shame that she has never gotten the help she needed, and that our entire family has been affected by her illness. It is very unlikely that she will ever accept or receive any treatment, but at least I now realize what the problem is.
Thank you for your interest in this subject. There is indeed very little information out there.
10/13/09 10:51am
10/13/09 1:51pm
I didn't think anyone would ever see my comment. Thank you for replying.
I am not aware of anyone else in the family who has ever had this condition. I have showed information to my Dad, but he is not about to try to make her do anything she doesn't want to do. He has spent over 50 years trying to keep the peace. He feels he can live with her the way she is, but I sure don't know how he does it.
I have not actually had the nerve to approach her with my suspisions. She has never been able to accept blame for anything. She feels that everything that has ever gone wrong in her life has been someone elses fault. She has such poor self-esteem that she cannot admit to doing anything wrong without feeling like she has no right to even exist. She never felt wanted by her Dad during her childhood, and I think that has a lot to do with it.
At this late date, I'm not sure it's worth trying to do anything about. I just wish she had gotten help so long ago. It would have made such a difference in all of our lives.
Lisa
10/13/09 3:27pm
Hi Lisa,
That's so sad. Her life could have been so much different with an appropriate diagnosis/treatment. I guess the best you can do is what you're doing now- seeing her with this new lens- a woman with undiagnosed ADHD.
Perhaps it would help to get support for you? There are a number of online communities, for example. Or local CHADD meetings (www.chadd.org).
Wishing you the best-
Terry
10/14/09 8:41am
It has taken me a lot of years to get to where I am now. There have been times in my life when I just had to stay away from her. I have a lot of regrets, and I've had a lot of anger. I can spend time with her now, but she gets to me after a couple of days. My brother, on the other hand, can't spend any time with her at all. He has always felt that she behaves the way she does on purpose. He just hasn't been able to forgive her for being the way she is. I feel that she has always meant well. She does the best she can. However, I still do feel some anger that she has never taken responsibility for her own behavior.
2/25/10 12:32am
My husband, age 68, has had major depression for 18 years. It destroyed his career and nearly destroyed our marriage of 20 years. Two years ago he was diagnosed with ADD -- attention deficit without hyperactivy. (He is very sedentary; low energy; and always has been.) The ADD diagnosis explained so much about his behaviors, which I had attributed to his depression, but which still didn't make sense (e.g., ot "tuning in" to conversations, forgetfulness, lack of follow through, etc.). This "package" of depression and ADD is a formidable one. I've concluded that when he was younger and had full time work and an active family, the structure that provided kept him on track. Now, since he lost the ability to work and has "retired", there is no structure in his life, so all the symptoms run free and create havoc. He resists structure of any kind and that perpetuates the chaos. Has anyone else experienced this? L.B.
2/25/10 8:58am
L.B,
Is your husband getting treatment for the depression and ADHD? Is he on meds for both?
It would make sense that he is worse now that he's retired with no focus. I wonder if he'd be open to trying some new things- activities, classes, etc that might be of interest to him. Maybe sit down and talk about how your lives can change, be enriched, by adding new projects, etc.
Just as important, would be seeking out some counseling, if he'd be open to that.
Terry
www.MomsWithADD.com
8/ 6/10 11:45pm
I've been trying to find information if the dots connect between ADHD and dementia-alzheimers. The information I've found so far seems to be that they are not connected. My mom now has alzheimers but after doing study on ADHD, she has exibited many of the ADHD behaviors long before she was diagnosed with alzheimers. question: can a person have both or can there be a progression of ADHD to Alzheimers? Thanks the artricle is great
8/ 7/10 12:05am
1/23/12 10:00pm
Thank you so much for your informative information, everyone. My mother at 81 finally diagnosed herself (being a former speech pathologist) and still volunteering at her age. My siblings have all suspected this over several years (especially me, being a special ed. teacher of 34 years), but thought she would never realize it. After relationship issues with her children and anxiety about our lack of interaction with her at times she felt a need to purchase some CD's for us. (we have several members with all types of ADHD). She watched the CD's with us and gave them to her 64 year old friend to watch. Once her health was impacted by her constant distractions in "keeping busy" and doing things, not thinking about the impact it would be on her health, she finally "saw the light." Better late than never. Who knows? Maybe she'll still have 20 more good years!? 
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Terry,
I have researched this subject myself in the past and also have found almost no viable information. This is a good topic to address, as time goes on, maybe more information will be available on the specific struggles of ADHD in the elderly.
The one person I did speak with a few years back discussed her frustration at the little information available and also talked about how it was difficult to adjust to the diagnosis at a "late" age. She had discovered her ADHD when in her 60s and was the result of her grandson being diagnosed. The diagnosis came as a complete surprise to her, but at the same time explained so much of her life. It was a revelation, she told me, and one that she wasn't sure she wanted. But in the end, she was glad that somehow her "deficiencies" were explainable.
It was an interesting conversation and one that I am recalling here as I no longer have the documentation to help me remember. Hopefully, more information will become available.
Thanks for bringing this very important topic to our site.
Eileen