By Ryhaan Shah
Eccentricity in our senior years refers to unconventional, quirky, or nonconforming behaviours that are fundamentally harmless and bring us joy. While sometimes viewed as odd by society, true eccentricity is a stable personality trait rather than a mental illness. It is, however, important to distinguish between endearing quirks and sudden, dangerous medical changes that would require attention.
Psychologists and geriatric experts suggest several reasons why these traits often become more pronounced in later life. As we age, social inhibitions and the need to conform to peer pressure often fade. Many of us reach a point where we prioritise personal comfort and our authentic selves over social expectations.
In older adults, “eccentricity” often refers to heightened or uninhibited personality traits rather than mental decline. While eccentric individuals are generally creative, nonconforming, and happy, these behaviours can intensify with age as social inhibitions drop or neurological changes reduce adaptability.
Studies show that reduced plasticity of the nervous system could make us less adaptable to new social norms to which we are unaccustomed, allowing for the continuation of lifelong behaviours and traits which could appear odd – or old-fashioned and endearing – in the new normal.
The lowered adaptability allows for the dropping of social filters that undergird conformity, and nonconformity is often a deliberate deviation from known routines or societal expectations.
But those of us who are viewed as odd or eccentric – or even difficult or “own-way” – know exactly what we are doing and are simply choosing to express our true selves.
Notable seniors who have embraced their eccentricity include Maggie Kuhn, an American activist who founded the Gray Panthers movement when she was forced to retire at the mandatory retirement age of 65. She is well-known for the witticism “Old age is an excellent time for outrage. My goal is to say or do at least one outrageous thing every week.”
The loss of structured daily routines that comes with retirement, as in Ms Kuhn’s case, could also increase our solitude, which can result in the development of highly individualised daily habits that could be viewed as eccentric behaviour.
Such behaviour can grow out of a well-earned confidence that comes with ageing. We can become more decisive about our choices and sentiments and feel no need or pressure to conform, but to simply go our own way – a way to which we are probably more accustomed and with which we are more comfortable.
It is crucial to recognise, however, when benign eccentricity crosses the line into a medical condition, such as the onset of dementia or neurodegenerative diseases that affect the brain’s frontal lobe.
If we are fully aware of what we are doing and why, have healthy social connections, and enjoy our activities, then there is probably no harm in what may appear odd to others.
However, there could be a need for medical evaluation if our quirks become dangerous or actively impede daily living. Examples of this include a sudden lack of personal hygiene, severe and unsafe hoarding, extreme aggression, or losing the ability to recognise social situations.
If someone is exhibiting bizarre, inappropriate public behaviour such as stealing, making inappropriate sexual comments, or undressing in public, there would be a need to seek medical help. Someone having delusions or hallucinations, being confused, or living in squalid conditions could be experiencing a serious health crisis that requires medical intervention and treatment.
However, eccentric behaviours in older adults, such as mischievous humour, saying exactly what we feel or think without caring much about the reaction, teasing loved ones, or playing harmless pranks, could all be viewed as harmless oddities.
Some of us may take to dressing in a bolder, flamboyant style, this again being a result of the lowering of social filters that dictated more conservative dress to fit the norms and expectations of society.
For such harmless traits, the best approach for family, friends, or caregivers to take is to embrace the person’s habits and let them express themselves freely.
A well-known eccentric actually built a flourishing business empire on childhood fantasies and entertainment that appeal to both children and the child in all of us. That was Walt Disney, who said, “Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.” It’s safe to say he never grew up.
Disneyland and other playful experiences can help us all keep the twinkle in our wrinkles; and if there are passions and interests that bring us joy and do no harm to anyone, then we must surely keep on twinkling. If not now, when?
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