The Risks that Seniors Face When Staying Alone

When senior citizens stay alone at home, they are often subjected to risks from factors which are beyond their control. Seniors who prefer staying independently at their homes unaccompanied by other family members, too can be affected by these factors which may pose a great threat to their safety, security and wellbeing.

When adult children stay afar due to work or other obligations, their parents end up staying alone in the confinements of home for brief periods or for years, While many seniors are compelled by circumstances to stay alone, there are many more among them who have voluntarily chosen to live independently with a spouse or completely unaccompanied. However, with advancing age, things often get strenuous for them.

There are numerous senior citizens around us in every part of India who are living in isolation, despite being dependent due to mobility issues and are unable to function independently. This, in turn, affects the seniors physically and emotionally. The situation becomes worse for seniors who are left unaccompanied and unaided after the death or separation from their spouse. The mental and physical strength needed to live independently starts to deteriorate for many as they age. The worst part is that they often deny their failing state of health and refuse the need for assistance, until the symptoms become grave or they suffer from serious deterioration in physical or mental health.

Here are a few risk factors that seniors come across-

● Mild to severe depression:
The causes of depression are varied and multifold. . Seniors who prefer staying alone often get emotionally affected due to deteriorating health conditions. Many elders who prefer joint families end up feeling more isolated and lonely due to the absence of their children and grandchildren. . Isolation, lack of meaningful engagements, deteriorating health and mobility, and loss of loved ones are all factors that can lead to depression. Due to absence of people around them to whom they can communicate their feelings or needs, the depression often goes unnoticed A few symptoms include- ignoring personal hygiene, getting irregular with medicines, ending communication abruptly, living in cluttered spaces, exhaustion, insomnia, losing weight and withdrawing from social gatherings.

● Losing purpose :
As a part of post-retirement depression, often seniors lose interest in activities. . They seem to lose their purpose in life and struggle to focus on activities which can help them stay healthy and happy. In general, many Indian parents do not develop enough hobbies and interests, while many others give them up when the responsibilities of parenthood take over. As a result, they struggle to find meaningful engagement and can feel bored and lost as a result.

● Medical urgency:
With advanced age, our body loses its efficiency and becomes vulnerable to diseases and disorders. These include disorders of heart, lungs, kidneys, diabetes, blood pressure, and more. This is why seniors need health check-ups at regular intervals, quick access to healthcare centers, and attendants who can ensure medicine adherence and accompany them while they are travelling to doctor’s clinics. Medical emergency handling is another big concern for seniors living alone. In case of emergencies like cardiac arrest, seizures, internal hemorrhage, falls, immediate response is imperative.

● Fire and related dangers:
Fire caused at home by incidents like short circuits between electrical wires, or forgetting to turn off the burner can be hazardous and traumatic for some seniors who find it difficult to act promptly, or to reach out for help. Despite safety measures, the seniors always have risks of contact burns from utensils, accidental cuts from knives, falls due to water or spills on the floor , for which they may require immediate medical assistance.

Due to all these reasons, it is becoming increasingly important to consider the living arrangements of seniors when their safety and welfare is of prime concern. Senior Living facilities can be considered for seniors when living with or near family is not feasible or recommended. Although it is understandable that after staying at a location for years seniors develop a deep attachment with it, still they can be relocated to places where they feel at home amongst other seniors with similar mindsets. Children, close family members and everyone else around a senior must ensure at all times that the person is not hesitant to disclose the problems or even the fact that he or she is not doing well, simply because they don’t want to burden their children. It is important for us to counsel seniors who are hesitant to leave their homes on the benefits of community living at a senior living facility.