Physical and Mental Health Symptoms of Older People: Who Do They Tell?*

Abstract

A research study was designed to develop information about the day-to-day symptoms of older persons that often are not reported to professionals. As one aspect of the research, the subjects (N = 132) were asked: 1) if they had had any of a predetermined list of 20 symptoms during the previous month; 2) to whom did they report these symptoms; and 3) if no one had been told, what was the reason for not reporting. About half of the subjects had experienced difficulty in sleeping, tiredness, nervousness, feeling blue, unsteadiness on feet, and forgetfulness. A slight majority told someone (a professional, family member, or friend) about their symptoms, but a large proportion did not tell anyone. Most symptoms (56 percent) were not reported to health professionals. When another person was told, usually the recipient of the information was as likely to be a family member or friend as a professional. Reasons for not telling anyone included: the symptom was “no big deal”; “nobody cares”; “nothing can be done about it”; and “don't want to bother people.” The data are discussed in terms of the implications for health education of older people and family members, and for the attitudes and behaviors of health professionals.