Why Do My Elderly Parents Keep Cleaning?

When seniors are finally able to retire, they should be able to enjoy a slower pace of life. However, for some older adults the lack of routine or consistency can leave them feeling untethered. For some, these feelings of restlessness can translate to anxiety, depression, and the manifestation of obsessive habits like compulsive cleaning.

If you’re noticing your elderly parents keep cleaning, even when things are perfectly neat, this may be a sign of obsessive-compulsive disorder in seniors. In this post, we’ll help you understand OCD in seniors, why your elderly parents might suddenly become obsessed with cleaning, and how you can help.

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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Seniors

If you’ve only heard about OCD in the movies, you may need a quick education on how the disorder actually manifests. People who suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder have persistent distressing thoughts (known as obsessions) and use rituals (known as compulsions) to control the anxiety that those thoughts cause.

For example, if your elderly parents keep obsessively cleaning it could stem from an obsession with germs stemming from a fear of illness. In fact, one study found that “fear of contamination or dirt”, and the “fear of being contaminated by touching objects that others have touched” are two of the most common obsessions seen in OCD — while “washing and cleaning” was one of the most common compulsions sufferers used to cope.

It’s important to note that these rituals are not enjoyable for someone who suffers with OCD. Compulsions caused by OCD are often totally out of the sufferer’s control, and may even cause emotional distress or interference with their day to day life.

OCD & Dementia

Medical experts don’t yet fully understand the link between OCD and dementia, but some preliminary research suggests the two may have some connection. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is usually a lifelong anxiety disorder, but if an older adult develops symptoms later in life, it may be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease.

One study, which analyzed two older adults who were over the age of 60 when diagnosed with late-onset OCD found that both had forms of dementia. The study’s researchers concluded that OCD symptoms that manifest after the age of 50 should “systematically lead the clinician to consider dementia.”

Obsessive-compulsive behaviors are also heavily associated with frontotemporal dementia, with the “presence of repetitive behaviors” being one of the core criteria for diagnosis. However, research is still ongoing to understand if these behaviors should be classified as true compulsions or if they are a part of the impulse disorder spectrum.

Treatment Options for OCD in Seniors

If you believe your elderly parents’ need to keep cleaning may be a sign of compulsive behavior, contact their primary care physician about getting a physical exam and a psychological evaluation. Treatment for OCD usually takes the form of talk therapy and medication that aims to reduce symptoms.

While treatment may not result in a cure, a combination of therapy and the proper medication can help control symptoms and dramatically reduce their impact on daily life.

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