{"id":853413,"date":"2026-09-19T16:24:09","date_gmt":"2026-09-19T16:24:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/853413\/"},"modified":"2026-09-19T16:24:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-19T16:24:09","slug":"im-a-geriatrician-8-things-i-never-assume-are-just-getting-older","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/853413\/","title":{"rendered":"I\u2019m a geriatrician \u2014 8 things I never assume are \u2018just getting older\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Growing older comes with plenty of changes, from forgetting a name to moving a little slower \u2014 but not every change<\/a> should be chalked up to age.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the message from geriatric specialist\u00a0Dr. Anita Chandra<\/a>, who says she often hears patients tell her they assumed certain changes in their loved ones were simply part of getting older.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd sometimes it is,\u201d Chandra wrote in a social media post<\/a>. \u201cBut not every new change should automatically be explained by age.\u201d<\/p>\n

Here are the eight signs Chandra says should prompt a closer look and a conversation with a doctor.<\/p>\n

While more years may bring signs of aging, some deserve a closer look as they may not be directly caused by age. Syda Productions \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n

1. Slowing down<\/p>\n

A gradual slowdown is a typical sign of getting older, as research suggests<\/a> it costs older people more energy than younger people to move.<\/p>\n

Other explanations could include a\u00a0slower metabolism<\/a>,\u00a0a loss of muscle mass and becoming\u00a0less active<\/a> over the years. But a noticeable decline over a relatively short period, such as weeks or months, is not considered a normal part of aging.<\/p>\n

\u201cChanges in walking speed, climbing stairs or getting out of a chair<\/a> deserve attention,\u201d Chandra said.<\/p>\n

2. Forgetfulness<\/p>\n

Having more trouble remembering things can be a hallmark of aging, with an estimated 42% of Americans<\/a> over the age of 55 living with dementia in 2025 \u2014 a number that\u2019s expected to double by 2050.<\/p>\n

While psychological functioning <\/a>begins to decline around age 65, memory changes can also have other causes, including medications, hearing loss, depression, illness or cognitive impairment.<\/p>\n

3. Eating less<\/p>\n

Appetites naturally decrease<\/a> with age due to changes in metabolism and activity levels, which can contribute to weight loss and nutritional deficiencies.<\/p>\n

But Chandra adds that \u201cunintentional weight loss is different,\u201d as it can be a sign of depression, physical illness or difficulty cooking for oneself.<\/p>\n

Geriatric specialist\u00a0Dr. Anita Chandra shared eight signs that shouldn\u2019t be assumed as just a normal part of aging. Dr. Anita Chandra<\/p>\n

4. Stubbornness<\/p>\n

Becoming more stubborn with age can be a way for people to protect their sense of control<\/a>. But it can also be a warning sign of Alzheimer\u2019s disease<\/a>, particularly when accompanied by other mood or behavioral changes.<\/p>\n

The behavior looks similar in both cases, however, but there are multiple possible explanations, including fear, hearing loss or difficulty understanding.<\/p>\n

5. Falling<\/p>\n

According to Chandra, falls are common, but they\u2019re not a normal part of aging.<\/p>\n

Instead, a fall can be a clue that something has changed. Falls can have several causes<\/a>, including poor eyesight and conditions that affect balance, such as diabetes, mild cognitive impairment or dementia.<\/p>\n

Age-related muscle loss \u2014 known as sarcopenia<\/a> \u2014 can also make everyday activities like walking and climbing stairs more difficult, contributing to poor balance and falls.<\/p>\n

6. Sleeping more<\/p>\n

Sleep patterns change as we age, and older adults tend to get less<\/a> sleep because they may have trouble falling asleep or wake more often throughout the night.<\/p>\n

Sleeping more than usual or sleeping much of the day, however, could be a signal of illness, depression, medication side effects or another another medical problem.<\/p>\n

Stubborness, falling and sleeping more are all warning signs that should be checked out. Home-stock \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n

7. Withdrawing from activities<\/p>\n

As we get older, the way we spend our free time can change, especially after retirement.<\/p>\n

Chandra says she often hears older adults justify withdrawing from hobbies and activities having earned the right to slow down. But sometimes there\u2019s more than meets the eye, she added.<\/p>\n

\u201cGiving up walking, cooking or hobbies isn\u2019t always a choice,\u201d Chandra explained. \u201cSometimes it\u2019s the first sign they\u2019re losing function.\u201d<\/p>\n

Physical limitations from joint pain, arthritis or declining vision, as well as mental health conditions or cognitive failure, can cause older adults to withdraw from hobbies they once enjoyed.<\/p>\n

8. Loss of independence<\/p>\n

According to Chandra, loss of independence<\/a>, or the ability to make decisions and participate in daily activities, is often gradual.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost older adults adapt long before anyone notices,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n

That\u2019s why subtle changes in older person\u2019s independence are important to notice. The earlier those changes are recognized, the sooner they can be evaluated and, if necessary, addressed with help or treatment.<\/p>\n

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