How Can You Tell When an Elderly Person Can’t Live Alone?

Seniors can struggle to live alone for a wide range of reasons, from physical limitations to dementia. If unaddressed, these struggles pose further health risks and can lead to an uncomfortable and distressing lifestyle.

Thankfully, there is no need to resort to nursing homes. Senior home care services can provide caregivers to provide daily living activity support or general companionship.

Here are the top warning signs that the senior in your life shouldn't be living alone constantly anymore:

They Struggle to Maintain Good Personal Hygiene

If your loved one has been neglecting their personal hygiene, then it's one of the biggest warning signs that they shouldn’t be alone.

Whether it's the smell of body odor, bad breath, or dressing irregularities, it can be an obvious sign that they're physically struggling to do things that were once easy.

From dementia to depression, there are also many cognitive reasons behind neglecting self-care tasks. All of these can be eased with the support of a senior home caregiver.

A lack of personal hygiene isn't nice for anyone - least of all your loved one, whose mental health can quickly decline.

They Have Tripped or Fallen

If your elderly loved one has tripped or fallen while living alone, then do not wait to find out what happens next. Falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths worldwide. Over 680,000 die from falls every year.

Someone susceptible to falling shouldn't live alone, as they may need support when doing difficult tasks such as walking outside, climbing stairs and running errands.

A senior home caregiver can be that helping hand. Depending on your loved ones' needs, a caregiver can be there for as little as just walking out of the house, or as much as dedicated life in care.

They've Lost Weight

Sudden unexpected and unexplained weight loss can be a sign of a lack of healthy eating.

Elderly people who should no longer live alone are prone to being unable to cook sufficiently - either due to tiredness, physical difficulties, or issues such as Alzheimer's.

Good nutrition is crucial for seniors and you can solve eating issues by hiring a senior caregiver to fix meals when desired - from breakfast to noon.

The caregiver can handle the dirty work, from grocery shopping to meal preparations and clean up. They can also assist with feeding if your loved one struggles.

Read Related: How to Make Healthy Meals for Seniors When You Have No Time to Cook

Unopened Mail is Piling Up

Is your elderly loved one starting to get towers of unopened mail? From bills to creditors, these letters need opening, but more importantly, they can be a sign of growing cognitive impairment.

Your loved one may be struggling to handle the number of daily activities they're used to or maybe forgetting the mail is there at all.

Dirty or Cluttered Home

Dirt, grime, trash, clutter and laundry should be warning signs that your loved one is struggling to keep up with living alone. They likely need an extra pair of hands around the home to take care of tasks that have either become overwhelming, tiring, or ignored due to illness.

Clutter homes also pose a health risk from trips and falls. They should be addressed immediately, by clearing the floors and finding a long-term solution such as an in-home caregiver.

They've Become Reclusive or Lonely

Being an introvert is very different from being someone who is reclusive. Seniors may become hermit-like if they're struggling with depression, anxiety, or cognitive impairment.

If your loved one is spending too much time alone and locked away, then having someone else be around the home can help them remain active and communicative.

A senior home caregiver can provide companionship care at dedicated points in the day, such as meal times and provide safe arrangements and transportation to social events, from church to visiting friends or family.

They can also help your loved one remain connected virtually, by making any tech hurdles a breeze (such as FaceTime, Zoom and Email).

Studies show that social isolation is linked to various mental and physical health risks. 60-year-olds who visit friends daily are 12% less likely to develop dementia than those who only do monthly.

Memory Issues Such as Getting Lost

If your parent or loved one is getting lost in familiar places, such as the town they've lived in for years, or when running errands then they should get a check for cognitive impairment and consider caregiver support.

Elderly adults suffering from memory issues such as these may be in the early stages of dementia or Alzheimer's, which means it is no longer safe for them to live alone.

A dementia specialist caregiver can provide professional care to keep your loved one comfortable at all times and avoid disturbing confusions that can arise when living alone.

Medication Issues

Around 8,000 Americans die every year as a result of medication errors. If your loved one is struggling with remembering how much medication to take, or when to take it then they are at risk of overdose or the consequences of not following their treatment.

Having a caregiver visit daily to take care of the medication schedule can ensure safety and remove stress and anxiety for your loved one and family.

Upon Return from Hospital

Around 20% of seniors on Medicare are hospitalized again within 30 days of discharge. It's highly advised that those returning from the hospital should not live alone. Senior home care services such as Visiting Angels specialize in helping seniors return home, ensuring they thrive rather than decline in health.

They're Defensive and Paranoid

If your elderly loved one is frequently becoming defensive or paranoid, then they may:

• Be struggling with life alone, or;
• In the early stages of dementia

Becoming defensive and paranoid may suggest they are struggling to understand the changes they're going through, which should be addressed with caregiver support.

They're Afraid at Night

If your loved one is afraid at night, it can be very distressing and lead to other health issues due to a lack of sleep and increased anxiety. Anyone who has struggled with sleep in their life will know it's a far more troubling experience without someone else in the house.

Whether it's troubling to live alone, or it's a sign of a health issue, then a caregiver can help provide some respite overnight.

TLDR; How Can You Tell When an Elderly Person Can’t Live Alone?

• They struggle with personal hygiene..
• They've tripped or fallen.
• They've lost weight due to a lack of eating.
• Unopened mail is piling up.
• Dirty home and cluttered floors.
• They've become reclusive or lonely.
• They have memory issues suggesting the early stages of dementia or Alzheimer's

Contact Us to Arrange Senior Home Care Services in Tampa, FL

If your loved one needs support around the home such as companionship care or personal hygiene, then contact Visiting Angels today to arrange a referral of a professional caregiver to provide Senior Home Care in Tampa, FL.

Whether you're ready to get started or would like to learn more, we'll be happy to have a conversation with you or your loved one.

You can call us at 813-909-2550 today - Available 24/7 to talk with a Visiting Angels Representative.