Some of the most difficult health challenges can be the ones we can’t see. As many as 80% of disabilities are non-visible, meaning they can significantly impact a person’s daily life without obvious outward signs. These ‘hidden’ disabilities can affect people of all ages, but older adults are especially vulnerable. Conditions like chronic pain, hearing and eyesight difficulties, dizziness and early cognitive changes become more common with age and often don’t have clear physical markers.

When symptoms aren’t visible, they’re more likely to be misunderstood or overlooked, which can prevent older adults from getting the support they need. Many older adults also manage multiple non-visible conditions at once, making it even harder to handle daily tasks, maintain independence and stay socially connected. That’s why building awareness and offering support that recognizes both visible and non-visible challenges is so essential.

What are Non-Visible Disabilities?

Non-visible disabilities—sometimes called ‘invisible,’ ‘hidden’ or ‘non-apparent’—are physical, mental or cognitive conditions that affect daily functioning but aren’t immediately noticeable to others. Many advocates prefer the term non-visible because the other options can imply that the disability doesn’t exist or undermine a person’s lived experience. Regardless of the terminology, these disabilities can impact energy levels, mobility, memory, communication or emotional well-being. In older adults, they often include:

• Chronic pain from conditions like fibromyalgia, arthritis or past injuries.
• Fatigue or weakness, linked to heart or lung conditions, autoimmune disease or chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Hearing or vision loss that affects communication and navigation.
• Cognitive changes, such as mild cognitive impairment or early dementia.
• Mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Incontinence or bladder issues that may cause embarrassment or social withdrawal.
• Dizziness or balance problems related to neurological or inner ear conditions.
• Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or autoimmune disease, which can cause brain fog, pain or functional limitations.

These conditions often fluctuate, with good days and bad days, and no two people experience them in the same way. Because not all symptoms are visible, they may be mistaken for typical aging or dismissed entirely, leaving many older adults without the understanding or accommodations they need.

How to Support Older Adults Living With Non-Visible Disabilities

While non-visible disabilities can be hard to detect, their impact on daily life is very real. Here are some meaningful ways to support older adults managing these challenges:

• Start with Empathy: Non-visible disabilities can significantly affect physical, emotional and social well-being. Trust and validate the experiences of older adults who are struggling, even if they appear fine. Avoid dismissing concerns as exaggerations or attributing symptoms to ‘just aging.’
• Create Space for Open Conversations: Conditions such as hearing loss, incontinence or memory changes can be sensitive topics. Approach these conversations with gentle, open-ended questions. For example, you might ask, “Have you noticed any changes that are making things more difficult lately?” These discussions will build trust and can help uncover unmet needs early on.
• Stay Observant and Check-In Regularly: Because symptoms may not be immediately obvious, it’s essential to look for indirect signs. Skipping social events, missing appointments or becoming more withdrawn or confused could signal pain, fatigue, embarrassment or cognitive changes. Thoughtful check-ins and small offers of help can go a long way.
• Offer Practical Tools and Adjustments: Encourage aids that support independence, such as hearing aids, walkers, voice assistants or phone alerts. Help your loved one find easy ways to adjust their environment to reduce stress and fatigue, such as brighter lighting, larger-print signage, accessible seating in busy areas or clear directions to nearby washrooms. Small changes can help make community life more accessible and inclusive.
• Adapt to Changing Needs: Non-visible disabilities often fluctuate. People with the same condition may experience it differently and even the same person will have both good and bad days. Be flexible, avoid assumptions and stay open to adjusting plans or environments as needed.
• Respect Independence and Preferences: Support doesn’t mean taking over. Involve older adults in decisions about their care, daily routines and surroundings. Offering choices and respecting preferences builds confidence, dignity and a stronger sense of well-being.

Non-visible disabilities can deeply shape an older adult’s experience of the world. By listening, staying flexible and offering steady support, we can help create environments where all people—regardless of what we can or can’t see—feel understood and empowered. And because people of all ages live with non-visible disabilities, extending this same awareness and compassion to everyone will help build a society that’s more inclusive, respectful and accessible for all.

If you enjoyed this article, you may also want to read:

• Navigating the Workplace With a Visible or Non-Visible Disability
• Resources for Unpaid Caregivers