What can be done about religious compulsions in the elderly?

Professional help: Compulsive behavior can be problematic to some people regardless of age. If an elderly person is behaving in a repetitive way (compulsively) and these behaviors are excessive and causing marked distress, professional help may be indicated. A medical specialist will take into consideration the patient's medical history and current status when considering treatment options, such as with medications.

Ocd treatment: Religious compulsions can be a subtype of obsessive compulsive disorder and indeed be a focus of treatment. Scrupulosity is a tricky form of ocd that can be mild to very severe. Treatment involves awareness and cognitive behavioral approaches along with possible medication. The fact that you identified them as compulsive is half the battle.

Good evaluation: First evaluation to determine if clearly out of cultural norms & considered pathological & needs treatment. Not as easy as sounds! depending upon the severity & kind of behavior with the thoughts usually psychotherapy first. If more severe then medication. If obsessive then ssri's e.G prozac, if delusional then anti-psychotics e.G abilify, (aripiprazole) or older meds. If manic = moodstabalizer , li/depakote etal.