Research has shown that loneliness and insufficient contact with friends and family can indirectly shorten a person’s life. Read more about the dangers of single life for the elderly further in the article.
Dangers of the lonely life of the elderly
More and more elderly people want to spend their old age at home. Living at home and staying in a familiar environment have advantages for the emotional state of an elderly person. However, research shows that more and more seniors are living in their own homes even though they need nursing home care.
It may seem simple and reasonable in this case to move the elderly person to a home where they can socialize and have the necessary health care provided. However, it is actually a very difficult decision, especially if your loved one does not want to move out of their home.
When the single life becomes dangerous
If we want our loved one to be safe and healthy, it is important to provide an environment suitable for her/his physical needs, especially if they show early symptoms of some diseases. You may notice that your loved one needs help with daily activities (eating, bathing, dressing, etc.). In this case, there is a possibility that he has reduced cognitive functions that are associated with the early stage of dementia. Even when staying in their own home, there is a risk that could lead to an elderly person falling, breaking a hip or even dying.
It is very important to monitor physical symptoms, mental health and diet. Warning signs that single life is no longer safe for an older person are:
- Not taking medication
- Bad eyesight
- Social isolation
- Forgetting
- Inability to perform daily activities and household chores
- Poor nutrition or malnutrition
- Inability to pay bills on time
Feel free to share with us if you have struggled with the decision of how to provide the best care for your loved one.
