As people begin to grow older, they begin to lose the ability to do the same things 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 independent living: they want to live in their homes and refuse to move into a senior community. A 2023 WebMD article stated, “27% of Americans 60 and over are living alone.” In addition, a 2022 report from the University of Michigan said that approximately 88% of adults aged 50 to 80 “feel it’s important to remain in their homes for as long as possible.”
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 provide professional assistance and be mindful, caring, and compassionate to seniors who can no longer perform the activities they once did.
Watch our video to learn about 5 challenges seniors face living at home alone.
What Are the Challenges of Elderly Adults Living Alone?
Living alone as an older adult can present various challenges, impacting physical and mental well-being. Some of the key issues include:
- Physical Health and Safety Concerns for Seniors:
- Increased Risk of Falls
- Managing Chronic Conditions
- Medication Management
- Medical Emergencies
- Nutritional Deficiencies
- Decreased Mobility
- Mental and Emotional Well-being Impacts on Seniors:
- Social Isolation and Loneliness
- Reduced Mental Stimulation
- Emotional Distress
- Practical and Logistical Challenges for Seniors Living Alone:
- Household Maintenance
- Transportation
- Financial Difficulties
- Medication Management
Let’s look a little more closely at 5 of the top concerns.
Loneliness or Lack of Companionship
Many seniors face loneliness and a lack of social interaction, especially if they are no longer able to drive, their children have moved away, or a significant other has passed away. Lack of mobility also leads to less social activity, as seniors may be unable to maintain their circle of friends as easily or attend community events.
Such a drastic life change can be challenging to deal with, often contributing to depression, anxiety, and isolation. This concern is one of the big reasons that 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 far from family members embrace these changes makes senior care service so rewarding.
Cognitive decline, 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.
Preparing Nutritious Meals
An older adult may be unable to cook for themselves in their own home and 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 ensure proper lifestyle decisions are prioritized.
Solutions from Our In-Home Care Team
If these challenges that seniors face living at home alone seem daunting, remember that help is available. 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. This professional assistance can bring you and your family relief and peace of mind, knowing your loved one is in good hands.
Individualized Assistance
One of the leading ways to ensure the very best care for your senior family members is to hire a trained home care assistant who 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 with peace of mind and companionship and 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 what they enjoy.
Senior Transportation Services
Enlisting a senior transportation service is a great way to combat limited mobility. This way, your senior will never miss a health appointment because they have no ride. Additionally, a transportation service enables seniors to be more independent and shop or visit pharmacies when needed. They can also more easily drop in and visit with friends and family members.
Support from Family Members
A little can go a long way toward showing love and support for aging loved ones with limited mobility. Even 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. Your support and connection can significantly impact your loved one’s life.
Dementia Care
Many senior loved ones face some form of dementia or other debilitating illness. Having a senior caregiver trained in handling this challenge will benefit the senior and give you peace of mind.
Respite Care
Sometimes, those caring for loved ones full-time need a break occasionally. Having a trusted caregiver who can come in each week (or as often as necessary) 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 several ways. For those with less-than-perfect health habits, consider meal preparation services to ensure they eat healthily. 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.
Comparing Care Options
To help you find the right caregiver for your situation, we have a comparison between several different home care options, from home care agencies to family caregivers to independent caregivers to registries.
