Yes, you can get an ADHD diagnosis later in life, at 50, 60 or beyond. Arbor Wellness Mental Healthcare in Las Vegas evaluates and treats ADHD for ages 6 and up and adults of any age, in person or by telehealth anywhere in Nevada. We accept Medicare, Nevada Medicaid, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana and most major plans.
Maybe a grandchild was just diagnosed with ADHD, and the description sounded a lot like you. Maybe you retired, lost the structure of your workday and suddenly felt scattered. Or maybe you’ve simply wondered for decades why some things felt so much harder for you than for everyone else.
An ADHD diagnosis later in life is more common than many people think, and it’s never too late to ask. At Arbor Wellness Mental Healthcare in Las Vegas, we see adults of any age, in person and by telehealth anywhere in Nevada. There’s no upper age limit.
Can you really be diagnosed with ADHD at 50, 60 or older?
Yes. ADHD isn’t only a childhood condition. It usually lasts a lifetime, even if no one noticed it when you were young.
The CDC found that more than half of US adults with a current ADHD diagnosis were diagnosed at age 18 or older. In the same survey, about 10.6% of adults with a current ADHD diagnosis were ages 50 to 64, and 4.9% were 65 or older.
Many of today’s older adults grew up when ADHD was rarely talked about, especially for girls and for kids who were quiet rather than hyperactive. If you were called a “daydreamer,” “chatterbox” or “smart but lazy” in school, you’re in good company.
Why do so many people find out later in life?
Often, life gave them enough structure to get by, until something changed. Common turning points include:
- A child or grandchild’s diagnosis. ADHD often runs in families. Hearing a young family member’s evaluation can bring back your own memories.
- Retirement. A job gives you a schedule, deadlines and coworkers to keep you on track. Without it, symptoms can feel much louder.
- Losing a support system. A spouse who handled the calendar and bills may no longer be there, through divorce, illness or loss.
- Menopause. CHADD notes that falling estrogen around perimenopause and menopause can bring more brain fog, forgetfulness and trouble focusing for some women, which can make lifelong ADHD harder to manage.
- More to juggle. Caring for aging parents, health appointments and new technology all add demands.
Some people also learn about adult ADHD from friends, articles or social media and finally have words for what they’ve felt all along.
Is it ADHD, or is it memory changes with age?
This is one of the most important questions, and it’s the one many older adults worry about most. The good news is that a careful evaluation can help tell them apart.
The biggest clue is timing. ADHD has been part of your life since childhood. Memory changes from aging or a medical problem are new or getting worse over time.
| ADHD | Normal aging | A memory problem that needs a closer look | |
|---|---|---|---|
| When it started | Childhood, and it’s been there all along | Gradual, mild changes in later life | New, or clearly getting worse |
| What it looks like | Losing focus, losing things, running late, unfinished tasks | Sometimes misplacing things or forgetting a name, then remembering later | Asking the same questions over and over, getting lost in familiar places |
| Daily life | Lifelong pattern of struggling with organization | Still managing daily life well | Harder to handle bills, driving or routines you once managed |
| Confusion about time, people or places | Not typical | Not typical | More common |
The National Institute on Aging notes that some memory problems have causes that can be treated, such as thyroid, kidney or liver problems, medication side effects, sleep problems, depression, anxiety, alcohol use and low vitamin B12.
That’s why we look at your whole health when we evaluate an older adult. We ask about your sleep, mood, medicines and medical history. When it helps, we coordinate with your primary care provider. If your symptoms suggest a memory problem rather than ADHD, we’ll tell you and help you figure out the next step.
Why does your lifelong history matter so much?
To diagnose ADHD at any age, a provider looks for symptoms that started before age 12. At 60, that can feel like a long time ago. That’s okay. You don’t need perfect records.
Things that can help:
- Old report cards, especially teacher comments like “doesn’t apply himself” or “talks too much”
- Memories from a sibling, cousin or old friend
- A spouse or adult child who can describe your habits over the years
- Your own stories about school, work and the tricks you’ve used to keep up
Be honest about your coping tools, too. Decades of lists, alarms and “always being early” can hide ADHD well. Those tools are clues, not proof that you’re fine.
What should you bring to an ADHD evaluation later in life?
A little preparation helps your provider see the whole picture. If you can, bring:
- A list of every medicine you take, including vitamins, supplements and anything over the counter
- Your Medicare card and any supplemental or Medicare Advantage card
- Results from past evaluations, memory screenings or lab work, if you have them
- Old report cards or school records
- A few written examples of times focus, memory or organization caused problems
- The name of your primary care provider, so we can coordinate when it helps
It’s also fine to invite a spouse, adult child or close friend. Someone who knows you well can add helpful details you might not think of.
Does Medicare cover an ADHD evaluation?
According to Medicare.gov, Medicare Part B covers outpatient mental health services, including psychiatric evaluations, diagnostic tests and medication management. Nurse practitioners are among the providers you can see.
Medicare.gov says that after you meet the Part B deductible, you generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for these visits. What you actually pay depends on your plan. Medicare Advantage plans and supplemental (Medigap) plans can have different cost-sharing rules.
Arbor Wellness accepts Medicare. We can’t promise what your plan will cover, but we verify your benefits before your first visit and tell you what we find. Learn more on our Medicare page.
What if you don’t drive or don’t want to come in?
You can still get care. Arbor Wellness offers telehealth anywhere in Nevada, as long as you’re in Nevada during the visit. That can help if you:
- No longer drive, or don’t like driving across town
- Live outside Las Vegas, such as in Pahrump, Mesquite or a rural area
- Have mobility or health issues that make travel hard
- Help care for a spouse or family member at home
You can have a family member help you set up the video call if technology isn’t your thing. And if you prefer to meet face to face, our office is at 8687 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 100, in Las Vegas. Your provider may suggest an in-person visit when it would help.
What can treatment look like later in life?
Treatment is built around you, your health and your goals. It may include:
- Medication management, if it’s right for you. Before starting any ADHD medication, we review your heart health and the other medicines you take.
- Therapy. It can help you understand your ADHD and make peace with the past.
- Practical skills. Simple systems for bills, appointments and daily routines.
- Coordination. When it helps, we work with your primary care provider.
A diagnosis later in life can bring real relief. It can explain years of feeling different and help you be kinder to yourself.
If you’re in crisis, call or text 988 any time.
How Arbor Wellness can help
Arbor Wellness Mental Healthcare is an outpatient psychiatric practice in Las Vegas. Our team of board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioners, led by Dr. Nicole Gregorio, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, offers psychiatric evaluations, medication management and psychotherapy for ages 6 and up, plus teens and adults of any age. There’s no upper age limit.
You can see us in person at 8687 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 100, Las Vegas, NV 89117, or by telehealth anywhere in Nevada, as long as you’re in Nevada during the visit. We accept Medicare, Nevada Medicaid, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, UMR and most major plans. Coverage varies by plan and provider, and we verify your benefits before your first visit.
You don’t have to be sure before you ask. Call or text 702-830-9588, or request an appointment online when you’re ready.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it too late to get an ADHD diagnosis at 60?
No. ADHD usually lasts a lifetime, and many adults are diagnosed later in life. A provider looks at your symptoms today and your history back to childhood. At Arbor Wellness, there is no upper age limit. We evaluate adults of any age in Las Vegas and by telehealth anywhere in Nevada. - How do you tell ADHD apart from memory loss in older adults?
Timing is the biggest clue. ADHD has been present since childhood, while memory problems from aging or illness are new or getting worse. We also check sleep, mood, medicines and health issues such as thyroid problems. When it helps, we coordinate with your primary care provider. If symptoms suggest a memory problem, we help you plan the next step. - Does Medicare cover an ADHD evaluation?
Medicare Part B covers outpatient psychiatric evaluations and medication management, and nurse practitioners are among the providers you can see. You usually pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after your Part B deductible, but costs vary by plan, including Medicare Advantage. Arbor Wellness accepts Medicare, and we verify your benefits before your first visit. - Can I be evaluated for ADHD by telehealth if I don’t drive?
Yes. Arbor Wellness offers telehealth anywhere in Nevada, as long as you are in Nevada during the visit. A family member can help you set up the video call. If you prefer, you can also see us in person at 8687 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 100, Las Vegas. - Why would ADHD show up after retirement?
ADHD doesn’t start at retirement, but it can become more noticeable. A job gives you schedules, deadlines and people who keep you on track. Without that structure, lifelong focus and organization problems can feel much bigger. Other changes, like losing a spouse’s help or menopause for women, can also make symptoms harder to manage. - Is ADHD medication safe for older adults?
It depends on your health. Some adults in their 50s, 60s and beyond do well with ADHD medication, and others do better with therapy and practical skills. Before starting any medication, we review your heart health and the other medicines you take. Medication management is offered only if it’s right for you.
Keep reading
- ADHD evaluation and treatment at Arbor Wellness
- Signs of ADHD in Adults (and When It’s More Than Stress)
- Tired of the Chaos? How to Get an Adult ADHD Diagnosis in Las Vegas
- The Quiet Struggle: ADHD in Women
- Medicare at Arbor Wellness
- Request an appointment
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ADHD Diagnosis, Treatment, and Telehealth Use in Adults, MMWR, October 2024
- Medicare.gov. Mental health care (outpatient)
- National Institute on Aging. Memory Problems, Forgetfulness, and Aging
- CHADD. Does Menopause Cause ADHD?
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nicole Gregorio, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC
