Older Adults & Epilepsy
Seniors are the most rapidly growing population group living with epilepsy. About 3 million U.S. adults ages 18 or older have active epilepsy. Nearly 1 million of those adults are ages 55 or older. It can be difficult to manage epilepsy alone in combination with other chronic health conditions, but with the right knowledge, resources, and support, the journey can be manageable.
Epilepsy in older adults can stem from a childhood diagnosis or emerge as a new diagnosis in older age. In either case, managing epilepsy in older adulthood can come with additional concerns.
In older adults, epilepsy can present after a stroke, tumor, or brain injury, or in some cases, a cardiovascular event. Though these are common causes, the onset of epilepsy is not limited to these causes. In many instances, the cause is unknown. Epilepsy can increase the risk of falls, injury, broken bones, and in some cases, the loss of independence in older age.
It is not uncommon for older adults living with epilepsy to treat additional conditions simultaneously. These are called co-morbidities. Eighty percent of adults 65 and older have at least one chronic condition, while sixty-eight percent have two or more. Many older adults manage common diagnoses like diabetes, hypertension, Alzheimer’s Disease, and other forms of dementia, COPD, heart failure, or osteoporosis and osteopenia.
If you or a loved one need help managing co-morbidities, contacting your primary care or family physician is a great start! For help managing epilepsy in older age, an epileptologist may be right for you. Epileptologists are specialized neurologists trained to diagnose and treat epilepsy. We invite you to contact the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan if you need assistance in locating an epileptologist at one of Michigan’s seven adult comprehensive epilepsy centers.
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
Older adults can experience many types of seizures. They can experience generalized tonic-clonic seizures, which may involve a fall, the tensing of muscles, and rhythmic jerking. At times, it can be difficult to discern a seizure verses a typical aspect of aging. For example, in an older adult, a seizure may present as confusion, staring into space, wandering, unusual movements, or the inability to talk or answer questions. These presentations can also mimic events such as strokes, Alzheimer’s Disease, or other forms of dementia. When these symptoms present themselves repeatedly or in the same pattern, these could possibly be a seizure.
This is a very common experience among those that live with epilepsy. About half of people diagnosed with epilepsy will not have a clear cause for their seizures, otherwise known as etiology. But some causes can be traced back to genetics, strokes, head injuries, chronic alcoholism, high blood pressure, brain surgery, or brain tumors.
One way to help is by assisting in getting a proper diagnosis and treatment. Your loved one will need a care team of professionals specialized in treating epilepsy. Often, a general neurologist can diagnose, treat, and manage epilepsy. In other cases, an epileptologist will be a better fit to treat or manage epilepsy. You can also help by transporting your loved one to their appointments, assisting with questions and concerns, and aiding with medications. These are all meaningful ways to support their journey.
If you or a loved one are looking for help in finding epilepsy care, please contact us.
Medication management is a significant factor in caring for your epilepsy, particularly in combination with other conditions that come with aging. It is extremely important to follow all of your medication regimens and the directions of your care team. This promotes your health and safety. Drug interactions can produce noticeable side effects or affect the efficiency in how they work. It is important not to stop or change your epilepsy medications without consulting your physician.
The Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan offers a network of support groups for individuals and their families through the Call & Connect Network. For older adults (ages 55+) and their caregivers, we offer a support group weekly on Wednesdays from 4-5pm. This group meets via Zoom to share their experiences, offer encouragement, talk safely about their hardships, and provide a welcoming space with individuals that share very similar journeys. We welcome all older adults as well as anyone who is a caregiver for an older adult living with epilepsy. Learn more.
There are thousands of older adults in Michigan living in nursing homes, independent living settings, and assisted living settings. The Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan is here for all people, regardless of housing status. We encourage participation in Foundation programs and events whenever possible. You can connect to our support groups by phone as well as by computer. You can also call our Here For You Helpline at 1-800-377-6226. We are here to collaborate on any educational opportunities and provide resources. We can provide public education and seizure recognition and first aid training to nursing staff as well.
We are sympathetic to the crucial need for anti-seizure medications (AEDs), particularly when they are expensive or are only covered partially under insurance. Every drug has a manufacturer; they often have patient assistance programs that provide reduced pricing. You can also research patient assistance programs. You may ask your physician if lower-cost, generic form of a medication is available and helpful for your epilepsy care. Additionally, some pharmacies offer special discount or savings programs. You can contact your pharmacy of choice to inquire about these. Please contact us if you need help reaching your drug manufacturer representative.
Common side effects may present after starting or changing anti-seizure medications. These can include depression, forgetfulness, poor appetite, fatigue, agitation, confusion, rash, balance disturbance, decreased bone health, and more. No one case is the same. Some side effects can be mild, or they may not last long. Others may persist, and these can be addressed by your physician. Learn more.
Many seizures will not require 911 assistance, as most seizures are not medical emergencies. It is appropriate to call 911 if a seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, if a person has never had a seizure before, or if a person has repeated seizures without fully recovering between them. Please also call 911 if a seizure
- Occurs in water
- If there is injury during a seizure
- If a person has trouble breathing or waking after a seizure
Seizures can be triggered by an array of internal or external factors. These triggers may also look different for everyone. Common triggers may include stress, lack of quality sleep, missed doses of medication, alcohol or drug use, illness, high or low blood sugar, hormonal changes, or diet changes.
Right here! The Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan is here for you. We will do our best to find and connect you to the resources you need in your life. Our Foundation is fortunate to have connections all around the state. We can assist you in finding solutions for concerns around mental and emotional health, meals, healthcare needs, or general advice and questions.
Additionally, we would love to discuss how you can get involved in our work. We can’t wait to meet you!
Caregiver Resources
It is an immense duty and privilege to be a caregiver for an older adult living with epilepsy. This involves love, time, care and compassion. Alongside our commitment to support people living with epilepsy, we are here to support you as caregivers of older adults with epilepsy.
It is important to take care of yourself as you are providing care for your loved ones. At times, you may find yourself asking, “How can I do this with so much on my plate?”. To the best of your ability, when you can plan personal time for yourself, it can provide mental, emotional, and physical relief. Here are some activities that may be beneficial in your spare time or in your everyday routine:
- Eating a well-balanced and healthy diet. You can add in a daily snack of your favorite fruit and vegetable. We encourage you to avoid excess caffeine and alcohol and monitor your artificial sugar intake.
- Routine exercise. You can stay active by walking the dog, enjoying yoga, doing water exercise, or visiting the gym weekly.
- Take charge of your health, too. You can schedule checkups and well visits when needed. Remember to take your medication as directed. Sleep is also essential for good health.
- Celebrate yourself. Honor when you may need a break. Remember it is okay to say no when stretched thin. Meditate with deep breaths when stress becomes overwhelming.
“I need some extra help caring for my loved one”
This can be a very common need, especially when balancing multiple commitments. There is no shame in asking for help. When you need this assistance, we are able to help connect you to resources. Respite care provides short-term relief to primary caregivers and can be arranged in different combinations from a few hours to a few weeks. Though, there is often a cost associated with respite care, there are programs that may offer discounted services or special programs to meet your needs. Such options may be offered on a case by case basis. See below.
Respite Care Services
For information on respite care services in your area and to learn about financial support, please contact the following agencies.
Education
The Michigan Health Endowment Fund works to improve the health and wellness of Michigan residents and reduce the cost of healthcare, with a special focus on children and seniors. You can find more information about the Health Fund at mihealthfund.org.