Should Mom and Dad Live Alone?

Check Out the Warning Signs

With Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner, Samaritas Senior Living lifestyle experts are asking Michiganders to use family gatherings to determine if mom or dad is fine to live alone. It's a preventive measure to ensure that elderly family members and friends are not experiencing a physical and mental decline in isolation.

In many cases, health declines begin with adults falling accidentally. The CDC reports that falls are the leading cause of injury for adults over 65, which can lead to hospitalization and spur health issues. Only 10% of U.S. homes have vital features to accommodate older residents, according to a 2020 U.S. Census report.

The Joint Center for Housing Studies reported in 2020 that single older adults living alone are more likely to report difficulties with mobility (walking or climbing stairs), self-care (bathing, dressing, and getting around the home), and independent living (conducting errands such as shopping or visiting a doctor) than those of the same age living as couples. Single people in this group are unlikely to pay for in-home assistance or will forgo support altogether. 

While waiting for the Thanksgiving dinner to begin, consider these five warning signs as you spend time with the elderly.

• Weight Loss - This is common among seniors but looks for drastic weight loss, and consistent fluctuations can indicate other health issues. 
• Medication Mix-ups - Do you see lots of unopened medication bottles? Have they forgotten what each medication is for?  
• The Familiar is Now Unfamiliar - Do they sometimes seem " lost " and easily disoriented in their living room? Or at a friend or family member's home?
• Defensiveness and paranoia - Unfortunately, it's more common than you would think, and these are certainly signs of dementia or Alzheimer's disease, or some other physical illness.
• Lack of personal hygiene - If your parent neglects daily self-care tasks like showering, dressing, brushing their teeth, etc. – it's a clear sign that something is wrong. 
• Loss of balance - Does your loved one frequently have cuts or bruises anywhere on their skin?
• Unkempt living spaces - Is their home uncharacteristically messy? Stacks of dirty dishes in the sink, dirty clothing piled up? Is there an accumulation of "stuff," such as mail and garbage?
• Missed deadlines - Are your parents frequently forgetting to pay bills? Are they missing doctor's appointments?
• Changes in their social habits - Is there a lack of desire to go out or connect with others? This can signify mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. All of these warning signs could be an indicator of:

1. Physical ailments (like Crohn's disease, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, or rheumatoid arthritis) 
2. Depression
3. Cognitive Decline
4. Sensory Decline

Samaritas has five senior living communities with experts who can help you determine the level of care needed and other healthcare options to help older adults thrive. Contact them at (833) 509-2800 or [email protected] to speak with a Samaritas Senior Living representative.