Aging in place is a goal many seniors strive for. After all, nothing else could be better for your senior loved one than being able to spend the retirement years in the comfort of his or her home. However, older adults who choose to age in place are susceptible to the following hidden risks.
Medication Mishaps
Modern medicine has made it possible for many seniors to manage health conditions that would have once rendered them hospitalized. However, seniors who live alone are at risk for messing up their medication schedule. Whether your loved one accidentally overdoses or forgets a critical pill, medication mishaps are among the most preventable accidents that can happen at home. Help your aging parent with medication management.
Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to an assisted living facility. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading Roseville home care agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks.
Malnutrition
Apart from obesity, seniors are also at risk for malnutrition. Older adults may not stock up on groceries due to financial concerns or an inability to go grocery shopping. Make sure your loved one has plenty of food in the house, and ask if he or she needs help preparing nutritious meals.
Many older adults require help with meal prep. If your aging loved one needs occasional help with bathing, grooming, cooking, or other basic household tasks, or if you need time to attend to important personal matters, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of live-in and respite care. Roseville seniors can maintain their independence while living at home with the help of our reliable respite caregivers.
Scammers
Thieves and scammers are adept at figuring out which seniors live alone. Encourage your loved one to follow basic safety practices such as locking the doors and avoiding telemarketers. Talk to your parent about the most common scams that happen to seniors, such as people posing as medical advisors selling unnecessary plans. You can also have someone check your loved one’s finances periodically to make sure he or she hasn’t been conned into buying unnecessary products or services.
Isolation
Isolation is fairly common among the elderly, and seniors who live alone may not speak to anyone for days at a time. If your loved one prefers to age in place, make socialization just as much of a priority as medical care. When your loved one has lunch with a friend or enjoys a day out of the house, his or her health may increase.
Slip-and-Fall Accidents
No one wants to think of their loved one being stuck on the floor for days after a slip-and-fall injury, but it could happen. Consider giving your loved one a way to get help in the event he or she falls and cannot get up. Emergency alert necklaces and voice activated calling systems are a few options to consider. In addition to using technology, appoint someone to check in on your loved one every day.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional elderly care. Roseville families can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while aging in place. If your parent needs help aging in place, call Home Care Assistance at (916) 226-3737 today.