As our loved ones age and navigate the process of growing older, with all its ups and downs and many changes, some welcome and some not, and some expected and some coming out of seemingly nowhere, many seniors find comfort and normalcy in retaining as much of their independence as possible, including continuing to live in the home they’ve been residing in for many years. When given the choice, most seniors would rather stay where they’re surrounded by what they find normal and comfortable, where they have years of happy memories and events of their life established.
However, with the realities of aging possibly making many normal aspects of life a challenge for our elderly loved ones, it’s only natural to worry about their safety and comfort if they’re living alone at home. It’s important to be aware of any of the potential safety risks that may arise, so that we can be sure to take the necessary measures that they need to protect their wellbeing, and give ourselves peace of mind.
As adults age, they may lose their flexibility, balance, and reaction time. Additionally, bones can become weaker, as well as muscles losing their strength and tone. All of these factors add together and can increase the risk of senior citizens experiencing falls, even in environments they used to navigate without issue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one out of four Americans over the age of 65 suffer a fall each year, and seniors who have experienced one fall already are at a high risk of experiencing another within a year.
Another issue that commonly affects older adults living alone is malnutrition. Older adults may not always feel up to fixing themselves a meal, instead opting for something packaged or microwaveable that offers empty or incomplete nutrition, or may skip meals altogether. One of the issues of aging is the altering of our perceptions of hunger and thirst, which can contribute to failing to get adequate nutrition.
Many senior citizens are on at least one prescription medication, with many of them managing multiple medications throughout the day. Medications can have similar appearances, confusing and non-intuitive names, and for adults with memory challenges, managing taking the proper dosages of each medication at different times throughout the day can be a struggle. This can lead to accidental over or underdosing of medications, or accidental harmful medication interactions, all of which can have potentially disastrous outcomes.
Older adults also can frequently overlook their own symptoms or illnesses when living alone. This can result in health issues growing into larger, more serious issues, when early recognition of them could have made them an easily treated or managed issue. Many adults also experience loneliness, depression, anxiety, or feelings of isolation when living alone. It’s important for older adults to find a community they can feel they belong to and interact with others, as well as find a mental health professional to speak to if they should find themselves having these feelings.