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Managing Epilepsy in Older Adults for a Higher Quality of Life
Epilepsy continues to be a debilitating condition that affects people of all ages and belies a concrete cure. Adults who have lived most of their lives battling this disease can find it increasingly daunting to do so as they age. They may require specialized care and additional monitoring to support them at this time.
Fortunately, continuous medical research in this field has identified meaningful coping strategies for epilepsy. They span dietary modifications and more astute mental health interventions, among others. Older adults can adopt them to experience a higher quality of life, epilepsy notwithstanding.
Encouraging Diet and Lifestyle Modifications
The effects of suboptimal diet and lifestyle can snowball over time. They make people with epilepsy at greater risk of poor health in their later years. Managing this condition requires support through diet and lifestyle adjustments. It also needs periodic interventions.
For instance, numerous studies suggest that regular exercise can enhance health outcomes in individuals with epilepsy. However, older adults may find exercise daunting if they are not used to it. Less intensive workouts, like yoga, can be encouraging and impactful.
A new American Academy of Neurology study found that yoga can minimize the perceived stigma of epilepsy. This intervention may also reduce symptoms of anxiety and cognitive impairment and promote mindfulness. Ultimately, it may brighten one’s overall outlook on life.
Similarly, older people with epilepsy may benefit from a ketogenic diet. This diet, also popular among calorie-conscious people, restricts carbohydrates. Instead, it encourages healthier fats and proteins. It is an established approach for addressing medically intractable epilepsy.
A Nature study found that a modified Mediterranean version of this diet may also benefit people with Alzheimer’s disease, another cognitive condition rising among older adults. This less restrictive version of the traditional keto diet recommends healthy fats and proteins from plant-based sources.
Senior adults can gradually make these changes with help from their families and other caregivers.
Assessing and Reviewing Mental Health
Epilepsy and mental health are closely connected. The former often aggravates issues like depression and anxiety.
Unsurprisingly, such mental health concerns can be more severe in older adults. They may already be battling age-related cognitive decline or associated conditions like dementia. A Frontiers study found that those with personality traits of neuroticism have a higher risk of poor mental health. They may fare worse compared to those with conscientiousness.
Therefore, epilepsy management in seniors requires regular mental health assessment based on their underlying concerns and personalities. Caregivers can access this support at a nearby healthcare center, such as a community clinic.
More professionals now integrate mental health assessment into their practice to prevent these (often) hidden challenges from slipping through the cracks. For instance, some online psychiatric nurse practitioner certificate programs focus on the connection between neurobiology and psychopathology.
According to Spring Arbor University, this knowledge lets practitioners care for people struggling with mental health disorders stemming from multiple causes. The culprits could be epilepsy, substance abuse, or trauma. Moreover, being able to access these learnings online allows more professionals to upskill while working full-time.
It is heartening to see the expanding network of available support for mental health challenges triggered by epilepsy. Based on these assessments, people with epilepsy can get relief through suitable medication and therapy.
Managing Comorbidities and Aging-Related Health Concerns
Another challenge of epilepsy management for older adults arises from the presence of comorbidities such as hypertension and chronic pain.
The CDC notes that adults with active epilepsy report higher odds of stroke, migraine, and memory problems. Besides lifestyle factors, these problems may also arise due to individual and social risk factors, such as family income. Conditions such as social isolation and financial difficulties may accelerate with age.
Managing these comorbidities requires continuous monitoring and support. It may require scheduled health appointments and checkups to gauge disease progression. Accordingly, health advisors can adjust medication and treatment plans.
It will be crucial to remain mindful of contraindications as older adults often need polypharmacy or the use of multiple medications at one time.
Facilitating emergency support is also imperative for older people with epilepsy. The NIH observes that the mortality rate among epilepsy patients has increased in high-income areas. Older adults, particularly those with chronic cardiovascular disease or pneumonia, are a considerable component of this statistic.
Implementing emergency assistance for vulnerable older adults should involve caregiver education on first aid. It will be vital to keep the patient safe from any dangerous objects and seek urgent medical attention.
Adopting these changes in day-to-day life will require assistance from family and friends. A support network is vital for a more fulfilled life. Its role gets amplified for people facing epilepsy and its associated physical and mental challenges.
Leveraging the available support systems for epilepsy care, such as hospitals and inpatient centers, can improve outcomes for older adults.
Resources:
Kaur, K., Sharma, G., Dwivedi, R., Nehra, A., Parajuli, N., Upadhyay, A., Deepak, K., Jat, M.S., Ramanujam, B., Sagar, R., Mohanty, S., and Tripathi, M. (2023). Effectiveness of Yoga Intervention in Reducing Felt Stigma in Adults with Epilepsy. Neurology, 101(23), e2388-e2400. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000207944
Spring Arbor University. Post-Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health NP. Spring Arbor University. Retrieved from: https://online.springarbor.edu/programs/post-masters-certificate-pmhnp
Center for Disease Control (2024). Comorbidity Among Adults with Epilepsy-United States, 2021-2022. CDC.gov. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2024/24_0313.htm
