According the American Association of Retired People (AARP), approximately 90 percent of people over the age of 65 prefer to remain at home for as long as possible. While living at home offers benefits to seniors’ emotional well-being, research reveals that a staggering number of seniors are living alone.

According to a CDC report titled “Healthy Aging in Action” 1 out of 5 men and 1 out of 3 women aged 65 and above lived alone. The probability of senior aging alone increases with age, and the proportion of seniors living alone continues to rise as years go by.

There are a variety of reasons that can result in senior aging alone. He or she may be single because he/she never married, is divorced, or widowed. He/she may also be living alone because he/she never had children, or the children he/she has are living abroad or far away.

Dangers of Senior Aging Alone

Even in their home, a senior aging alone at home is never a good idea. The combination of mobility difficulties, poor eyesight, underlying health conditions and minor safety hazards around the home can put seniors at an increased risk for falls, life-altering injuries, and even death. There are certain signs that can tell that living alone is no longer safe for an aging loved one. They include:

  • Inability to keep up with housekeeping and routine chores
  • Poor nutrition or malnutrition
  • Inability to keep up with appointments
  • Difficulty in medication management
  • Impairment such as poor eyesight, loss of hearing or difficulty walking
  • Inability to pay utility bills, etc.

How an In-home Caregiver can Improve the Quality of Life of a Senior Aging Alone

While many seniors will live to healthy old ages, some will need some of form of assistance at some point. Many reports indicate that approximately 12 percent of seniors aged 65 and above need long-term care to perform activities of daily life. The following are the ways in which a senior in-home care provider in Torrance can contribute to the quality of life of a senior with no immediate family:

  • Personal care: in-home caregivers assist seniors with personal care, including bathing, dressing, and grooming. This helps to keep seniors clean, which not only helps keep them healthy, but it also boosts their self-esteem.
  • Household chores: in-home caregivers offer help with chores like house cleaning, laundry, yard work, etc. This helps to keep the home environment clean and safe.
  • Meal preparation: in-home caregivers also help with the preparation of healthy meals. This ensures that seniors get to all their daily-recommended levels of nutrients.
  • Money management: in-home caregivers also assist seniors pay all their regular bills on time.
  • Medication management: in-home caregivers also help seniors take their medications as prescribed.
  • Errands: in-home caregivers also assist seniors by running errands for them, such as grocery shopping, getting medications from the drug store, etc.

It has been established that both loneliness and social isolation are associated with a greater risk of dying. In addition to doing all of the above, in-home care givers offer seniors companionship that makes them feel loved and truly cared for. These aspects of senior in-home care contribute to the quality of life of a senior aging alone.

If you would benefit from in-home care, whether live-in, full-time or part-time, and you are located near Palos Verdes and the surrounding area, please contact A Peaceful Way Home Care for a free in-home assessment. We will work to find the most compatible and appropriate caregiver for you.

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