It comes as no surprise that the majority of the elderly want to continue residing in their homes even in old age. After all, it is the easiest and most convenient option. While there may be no problems moving forward, circumstances can change over time to the point when living alone might not be the best option due to safety and health concerns. Read on to find out what are the signs that it may be time to start reconsidering the option of an elderly living alone.
Recent Accidents or Injuries Sustained at Home
Did you recently get a scare from your loved one that they tripped and injured themselves while at home? For the elderly that tend to have brittle bones, it only takes one serious fall for them to end up in the hospital with injuries such as a broken wrist or hip. Given that the elderly tend to have muscle weakness in the legs, sudden drops in blood pressure, as well as poor balance, they are much more prone to falls. Statistics show that approximately 3 million elderly take a trip to the ER because of falls, of which nearly 300,000 get hospitalized for hip fractures. Before it’s too late, it is advisable to take preventive measures such as installation grab bars in bathrooms, or even better, move into independent senior living homes where safety measures are optimal coupled with the availability of 24/7 professional medical care.
Homes Becoming Messy and Uncared For
With aging, it becomes much more difficult to perform household chores and keep the home in good condition. This is especially true if they have memory-related problems that cause them to be unable to remember what chores need to be done around the house. Should you notice signs like dirty floors, dirty dishes in the sink, or a growing presence of bugs in the house, then your loved one might have entered the phase where basic home maintenance is no longer within their ability.
Noticing Hygiene Issues
Just like basic home maintenance, basic body and hygiene matters may also start to become difficult for the elderly to accomplish. Should you notice body odor or bad breath around your loved one, it could be that they are not remembering to shower themselves or wash their teeth.
Tendency To Be Cooped Up At Home
When your loved one is cooped up at home and has minimal to no social interaction, it puts them at high risk of both depression as well as senior loneliness, which are very serious issues that can lead to further problems down the road. In such cases, it might be better to move into senior living communities, where your loved ones can not only continue to live independently but also enjoy the warmth and interaction with other residents in the community.
