Resources for Aging?

[Matagiri]

Getting older, I see overlap between symptoms of aging and symptoms of ADHD, mainly in areas having to do with executive functioning. I am 78, and used to get by with a combination of brains and hard work. It is getting harder. What resources are available?

[New-Diagnosis]

Hello! I'm in my late 50s and fully understand how things can get more challenging over the years. I just recently sought a diagnosis and support since I could no longer cope by trying harder and harder and working too much. I encourage you to talk to a mental health or other provider who can give you an assessment and tell you about options. I'm on Vyvanse -- 1st time trying ADHD medication and it's been an amazingly good change for me. I know there are considerations with heart/vascular issues and prescribers get more worried as age goes up, but there are a few non-stimulants too that I think are safer -- or counseling, coaching, support groups, etc. to learn new strategies. If you don't have a health provider or insurance, check out your local community health center. They are awesome -- provide a range of care, including behavioral health, and they will see people with or w/out health insurance or the ability to pay for visits. Good luck!

[Matagiri in reply to New-Diagnosis]

Thank you for answering. I’ve been taking Buproprion/Wellbutrin since 2008, and it has helped. Lately I’m wondering if I should reassess this…. I went to an actual psychiatrist who didn’t seem to think my problem was ADHD, but I think it was less often diagnosed in adults at that time…. I went to her because I was writing a book and felt as if I had lost some ability to make mental connections. It definitely helped with that, and with depression. I am sort of scared to revisit the medication issue.

Anyway, thank you, it’s good to get an answer.

[Blue_186281_red in reply to Matagiri]

how is your heart? I'm sure MDs would be nervous about exploring meds with someone your age but I bet you could find someone if you are medically stable. I just started meds at 40 after years of my wife c/o ADD. I was on meds 6-8th grade and figured I got through school and ADD was done.

But I thought I had Asperger's. I thought I had dementia. I couldn't make appointments. I couldn't keep promises to my kids/wife. ALL of my energy went into functioning at work and let the rest of my life rot. I'm still so consumed with the basics of life that I haven't had a social life in 10 years.

I'm a nurse so I think about aging, death vs life a lot. I worry that I will lose my legal autonomy due to ADD when i get older and I have a suicide plan for certain diagnoses; If my unmedicated ADD were to proceed like it was going, I would consider asking for assisted suicide if my MD refused ADD meds (well, honestly I'd just go to the black market, but I'd try to find a MD who valued quality over quantity of life first.) This is very personal and I would reflect on quality of life vs hazards of stimulants and be very solid in your convictions before talking to MD - CYA strongly favors keeping you alive over your autonomy in this litigious society of ours; asking for a psych eval of how your ADHD effects you may make the MD feel safer.

Random tip- document end of life preferences with your PCP.

I'm not sure what your deficits are exactly. I'm a home health nurse so I have some general aging tips: form a routine ASAP. From the moment you wake up, go to bathroom, check BP, take meds, have a selection of meal menus you don't need to think about. Use a weekly pill box. Use muscle memory as a learning tool - e.g. keep items in the right place so the simple act of doing activities like taking pills gets drilled into your older, deeper, more stable memory. Meditate. Hydrate - no one drinks enough and your thirst mechanism weakens as you get older. treat water like another medication you need to take at regular intervals - this strongly effects Psych meds for some people too. Diet - IDK about you but I'm practically anorexic even with out drugs - I hyper focus and view food as a distracting expensive chore.

Meditate - I don't do it. It's the hardest thing I listed. When I do meditate I say "WOW! that really let me step back from the mental storm and get perspective. Can't wait to do it tomorow!" and then it's 6 months later all of a sudden.

[Judi1234 in reply to Blue_186281_red]

Thank you so much for your suggestions. The psychiatrist prescribed Ritalin for me, but I haven't yet started (due to a pharmacy mixup.). Any comments on Ritalin? I have felt very suicidal in the past few months (situational, getting older, ADD, and horrible constant anxiety when I am alone. I'm ok when out with friends or other people, but I'm not coping well emotionally when I'm alone.

[Judi1234]

I am also older and just been diagnosed (ADD not ADHD). I'm wondering if there is any way we can get several retirees to start a ZOOM group... or even better, an in person support group. I live in the SF Bay Area.

[Wasted71years in reply to Judi1234]

Newly diagnosed, not yet treated, interested in joining a group for seniors with ADHD

[Judi1234 in reply to Wasted71years]

Where do you live? I'd like to start or join a group

[Wasted71years in reply to Judi1234]

I live in Satellite Beach, Florida

[Judi1234 in reply to Wasted71years]

That's too far away for in-person group, but maybe a zoom group. I don't have my own zoom subscription.

[Judi1234]

Do you live in the SF Bay Area? OR do you know how to set up a zoom?

[Judi1234]

I have just been diagnosed at 80. I may be unusual in that I have a lot of friends (new and old) but I do not have anyone to discuss my ADD with other than a therapist. I find that my symptoms are much more intense than they ever were and it would be so helpful to be in a support group..... either on Zoom or in person.I live in the SF East Bay.