Why do so many elderly people get so cranky, sometimes mean, judgemental, and just plain hard to live with?

Question

I see this so often now as so many of the people I know have parents getting to this age.

Answer 1

When they say "getting old is hell," they mean it. It's really stressful.

First, there are all the physical ailments. Then, there's often a growing, nagging sense of isolation and a feeling of increasing irrelevance. The housebound often get cabin fever. Those who don't drive mourn their loss of independence. They are frequently losing friends and family through death, illness, distance.

Old folks cope with so many things you can't even imagine until you get there yourself. When you start helping out with eldercare, as it sounds like some of your acquaintances are beginning to do, you begin to get glimpses of what they are up against.

Want to help? Be in constant contact with your elder relatives and friends. Call them, write to them, visit as regularly and frequently as you possibly can. Go out with them. Let them do things for you when they want to and are able. Remember that just because they are old on the outside, doesn't necessarily mean they've changed on the inside. Try to put yourself in their place. That helps a lot.

Answer 2

Seems to me that most are getting afraid of those last days, and being judgemental because they have already been through all this crap we are living with and cranky about most everything. Sometimes I think maybe they realize they cannot do some of the things they used to do when THEY were younger. Just treat them with kindness and consideration and lots of respect.

Answer 3

I'm going through that now. My 70-year-old mother was becoming increasing difficult to live with. She had some health problems. It turns out that she has several arteries blocked. A stent was put in the most troublesome arteries less than a month ago. She got her sense of humor back! I think some of the old aged crankiness is physical.

Answer 4

They are cranky because they are in pain. Once you hit a certain age you start falling apart. Something new hurts. It is hard just sitting down or standing up. Try being helpful and nice to an older person.

Answer 5

Well old people have lived a long time and seen alot of things we havent seen. Their way of life is SOOOO different from ours they just plain refuse to see that things have changed for the worse and for the better in some instances. sometimes they just dont care how us "youngins" feel because they are tired and they know their time is coming soon. We have our whole lives ahead of us and despite how mean and grumpy they may be we should make them enjoy their last years instead of participating in their grumpyness (not sure if thats a word).

Answer 6

the worldwide has lost a genuine and uncommon enormous call interior considered one of those Michael Jackson. in no way has there been considered one of those great expertise as him. His expertise and fan base has been while in comparison with that of The Beatles and Elvis, yet i think of its honest to assert that he's a legend lots greater beneficial than the different band or artist. His songs have been fairly influential to the music worldwide and set a typical so extreme that not something on account that has rather in comparison. there has been no different artist who has accomplished such dizzy heights as Jackson. For me, Michael Jackson inspired me along with his dancing skill and his songs. there is not a music of his that i don't love. i be responsive to various the words to his songs, and could desire to computer screen his dancing for hours on end. Now i wasn't some great fan, yet i believe he grew to become right into a genuine idol and that i don't think of the worldwide will see considered one of those expertise ever lower back. i believe he grew to become into misunderstood and his quirky (and each each and every now and then a touch off the wall) tactics have been taken thoroughly the incorrect way via the worldwide. It saddens me that the worldwide is taken under consideration one of those judgemental and vicious place, and that i want he could have considered what share dependable and loving followers he had. RIP Michael Jackson.

Answer 7

I think they can just be mean and miserable and mistreat the ones helping them the most making them their whipping post. Sorry, all the sympathy can run out in tie for the best of us. When the day comes for their being put in a place where you do not have to tolerate verbal abuse, a place where their needs are all met, and you have not become so tire of it all giving and giving only to be treated horribly, then maybe you can muster up patience and be there for short times, go home and have a life. We all have our limits no matter who the person is we take care of.

Answer 8

There is a thing where kids reach the 13-18 year old range where parents get cranky ..It is because the kids are out of control with huge attitudes

Answer 9

sometimes being elderly takes away th efreedom they had to get up and do what they wanted now they have to rely on someone else yea that would suck...judgemental because they don t understand the times and trends seeing they were raised in a different era...hard to live with possibly cause they are too needy?

Answer 10

alzheimer's is a huge reason. 85% of older people get at least stage one of this disease. out of that percentage, 68% will progress to the remaining three stages of the disease. a lot of it has to do with not as much structure in their lives. routine is important to older people and/or people with alzheimer's disease. without that, they loose their sense of purpose and this affects them in many ways. the longer a person stays active, the better and happier they become. volunteering is a huge release for them.