"Senility" is a Symptom, Not the Problem

To paraphrase our copy of Webster's Dictionary, "senility" means "showing a loss of faculties associated with old age."

When an older person begins showing signs of "senility" (forgetfulness, confusion, frailty, disability), we often hear that this is to be expected, that the person is "just getting old." We might even hear this from medical practitioners.

However, "senility" is a warning sign, a symptom. It should not be ignored. It is caused by something else, which needs to be dealt with. Further, in Ageless Body, Timeless Mind, Dr. Deepak Chopra reports that at least one-third of "senility" cases result from one or more treatable (reversible) factors such as malnutrition, medication side-effects, smoking, alcohol, dehydration, depression and inactivity.

So, remember that "senility" is a symptom, a warning sign of a disease or disturbance. Don't assume the person is "just getting old." The best approach is to investigate the person's underlying health and lifestyle, and find the source of the problem.