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Neighborly Home Care Explores 5 Challenges Seniors Face Living at Home Alone

Nurse Helping an Elderly Women down stairs, one of the challenges seniors face living at home alone | Neighborly Home Care As people begin to grow older, they begin to lose the ability to do the same things that they were able to when they were younger. Basic tasks like cooking and cleaning, which were once part of a manageable daily routine, are now too difficult to perform, and these are only a couple of the challenges seniors face living at home alone. Despite this, many elderly individuals prefer to live in their homes and refuse to move into a senior community. At Neighborly Home Care, we understand that for most, this insistence comes from a desire to remain in the home that holds so many happy memories from their lives.

We understand the choice to remain in comfortable and familiar surroundings. For this reason, we offer an elderly home care service that provides seniors with in-home help for challenges that they may face daily. Our priority is to offer professional assistance, and to be mindful, caring, and compassionate to seniors who are no longer able to perform the activities they once did.

Loneliness or Lack of Companionship

Loneliness is one of the top 5 Challenges Seniors Face Living at Home Alone | Neighborly Home CareLoneliness is an issue that many seniors face, especially if they are no longer able to drive, children have moved away, or if a significant other has passed away. Such a drastic life change can be exceptionally difficult to deal with, often contributing to depression, anxiety and isolation, which is why offering companionship is important to the caregivers at Neighborly Home Care. Helping seniors better deal with the life changes they may face and helping those who feel lonely or are long distance from family members to embrace these changes is what makes senior care service so rewarding.

Tripping or Falling in an Unsafe Environment

Many dangers exist in most homes. Older adults have a higher risk of tripping and falling on an upturned rug or a wet floor. Once an elderly person has fallen, he or she may be unable to get up or alert someone. Neighborly Home Care will send caregivers that will ensure the danger of falling is minimized, and be available to help or to call for medical attention should an accident occur.

Inability to Complete their Errands

Another challenge seniors face living at home alone is getting necessary errands accomplished.

Sometimes the elderly may find completing errands both in and outside the home difficult. Some seniors may find they need assistance with the upkeep of their home or assistance with running errands like grocery shopping and getting to appointments.

Home care agencies, like Neighborly Home Care, can ensure that seniors receive assistance completing all necessary activities of daily living, both inside and outside the home. Our caregivers can also safely transport and accompany seniors to doctor visits.

Remembering their Medication

Mental illness or fatigue can often cause individuals to forget to take their medication. An elderly care service provider can send an individual who can keep track of personal information about any medical conditions and provide seniors with medication reminders throughout the day.

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The families we serve keep saying great things.

I just wanted to tell you how grateful we are that Neighborly Home Care stepped in & took over taking care of my Dad when we really needed it, no questions asked. Our caregiver has become part of the family and we know we can depend on her being there every day & taking great care of my Dad. He misses her when she’s not there!

— Daughter of an NHC Client

Preparing Nutritious Meals

Collection of fresh vegetables and a glass of tomato juice | Cooking nutritious meals often challenges seniors living at home alone. | Neighborly Home CareAn elderly person may be unable to cook for themselves within their own home, as well as lack interest in taking the time to create balanced meals that are healthy and nutritious. When unmotivated to cook, individuals can often make unhealthy lifestyle choices, but home care assistance is available to make sure proper lifestyle decisions are prioritized.

Watch our video to learn about 5 challenges seniors face living at home alone.

Solutions from Our In-Home Care Team

If these challenges that seniors face living at home alone seem a little daunting, remember help is available. And our team of in-home care professionals has a few simple solutions to ensure your elderly or special needs family member remains safe and comfortable.

Individualized Assistance

Caregiver helps senior woman with walker | Home Care Specialists | Neighborly Home Care

One of the leading ways to ensure the very best care for your senior family members is to hire a trained home care assistant that can handle their needs and keep them company. Hiring an in-home care provider has many advantages, such as providing you and your loved one peace of mind and companionship, in addition to making the choice of aging in place an option.

An in-home care assistant can also offer personalized services like cooking and cleaning to make your loved one’s daily routine easier. This assistance improves their quality of life and allows them to do the things they enjoy.

Senior Transportation Services

caregiver assisting senior woman from wheelchair into car | senior transportation services help alleviate one of the challenges seniors face living at home alone | Neighborly Home Care

A great way to combat limited mobility is to enlist a senior transportation service. This way your senior will never to miss a health appointment because they have no ride. Additionally, a transportation service enables seniors to be more independent and do their own shopping or make pharmacy visits when needed. They can also drop in and visit with friends and family members more easily.

Support from Family Members

son helping senior mother with technology on couch | Bryn Mawr Home Care Provider | Neighborly Home Care

A little can go a long way with regard to showing love and support for your aging loved ones with limited mobility. Even doing something as simple as calling once a day to say hello can do wonders for combating the loneliness and depression often felt by homebound individuals. If your home is far away from where your senior lives, consider scheduling a Skype chat with your loved one once a week so you can see each other face-to-face.

Dementia Care

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Many senior loved ones face some sort of dementia or other debilitating illness. Having a senior caregiver trained in handling this sort of challenge will benefit the senior, as well as give you peace of mind.

Respite Care

Caregiver providing respite care to senior woman doing crossword | Cost of Care at Neighborly Home Care

Sometimes those who care for loved ones full-time just need a break once in a while. Having a trusted caregiver who can come in each week (or as often as needed) can make a positive difference in the physical and mental well-being of the family caregiver.

Other Helpful Tips

You can make things easier for your homebound loved ones in quite a few different ways. For those who have less than perfect health habits, consider meal preparation services to make certain they are eating healthy. Many in-home care assistants are trained to cook and help your loved one shop.

Additionally, the elderly often struggle with financial matters as they age. You may wish to enlist the services of a financial planner or give them a hand with banking now and then.

 

Neighborly Home Care Helps Families Manage the Challenges Seniors Face Living at Home Alone

Having skilled assistance from caregivers knowledgeable about the challenges seniors face living at home alone can make your elderly loved ones’ lives much easier and more fulfilling. If you are a resident of a Main Line community like Ardmore, Bryn Mawr or Bala Cynwyd, or of Delaware, contact Neighborly Home Care today to learn about how the service of a caregiver can benefit you or your loved ones.