The process of diagnosis can be difficult and lengthy. Older people can have 'blackouts' which have many causes, most of which are not epilepsy. Clear descriptions of the event are not always available, particularly if the person is living alone, or if relatives and friends are uncertain about recognising and managing seizures. Developing epilepsy later in life can be difficult to adjust to. Forgetfulness, poor concentration, memory lapses and mental confusion are recognised as additional problems for many older people on medication.
Poor memory can mean that medication is missed and appointments forgotten.
This is where simple solutions such as dosette boxes, lists, notepads, alarm clocks and even reminder calls can provide peace of mind for everyone. The fear of injury, falling in public, the problems of taking a longer time to recover from a seizure, and the overriding issue of dependence, are some of the concerns facing older people living with a chronic condition like epilepsy. This is why there is a need for care and understanding from everyone and for sharing of information and strategies with the individual, doctors, family members, friends and concerned others. The mainstay of management is medication in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle. Medical management means controlling the seizures with the prescribed anti-epileptic medication.