Human is a social animal and cannot survive alone. Yet, for many seniors, being alone is a reality of life. With no family in the vicinity, death of the spouse, and a few friends, isolation among seniors is a real issue faced by a majority of people. Living alone can have disastrous consequences. This is why you should search for the best home care agency even before you need one to avoid isolation and depression.
Senior Isolation – What Is It?
Senior isolation doesn’t just refer to loneliness. We all can feel lonely and alone from time to time but seniors often experience a longer and chronic version of loneliness. This is because some of their friends may have died at an early age, some may be experiencing chronic illness which makes it difficult to get out of the house. Their spouses may be chronically ill or have died. Moreover, seniors are often left to fend for themselves as children become busy in their lives or live far from their parents. Seniors have little or no family to talk to and ease their emotional burden.
Seniors often suffer from chronic illnesses which decrease their mobility and leave them homebound. Moreover, as they have retired from their respective jobs, they are no longer working or going out and meeting people. This can lead to sedentary, isolated and lonely lifestyle which can give rise to depression in seniors.
Choosing the best home care agency makes it easy for the seniors to get care and company they require. Utah Doctors At Home provides the highest level of home health care to the patients in the comfort of their home. With a doctor at home service, you are no longer required to travel to and fro the doctor’s clinic, no need to wait in a queue and get one-on-one personalized attention from the doctor.
It is also important to remember that not all seniors who live in their home and have limited mobility are suffering from isolation. There’s a difference between seniors who experience legitimate senior isolation and seniors who love being on their own.
The Number Game
According to the U.S. Census, the number of seniors above the age of 65 has ballooned in the past decade. These seniors don’t have family members or friends living nearby or their spouses may have passed away. While living alone does not mean that the seniors will definitely experience depression, there’s a huge risk involved in living alone.
Shocking Facts About Seniors and Isolation:-
• Isolation increases a person’s risk of dying:- According to a study conducted in 2012, isolation can increase the rise of a senior dying from all causes. After a person reaches the age of 52 years, he has a higher risk of mortality when he lives alone. This can be contributed to decreased social network and being surrounded by fewer people who can actually notice a decline in his health.
•Loneliness can cause dementia:- Seniors who live alone are at a higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia than those who live with their family, friends, or in assisted or independent living facilities. This is due to the fact that people who live alone have less social interaction and receive less cognitive stimulation than people who live with other people.
• Loneliness is dangerous for emotional and mental health:- Seniors who live alone and haven’t opted for services from the best home care agency suffer from more physical and emotional conditions than seniors who live with their spouses or families.
•Elder abuse is common:- Seniors who live alone are at a higher risk of elderly abuse than seniors who live with their family members. This is because there are few or no people around to notice the sign or abuse and put a stop to the poor treatment.
• Isolation Can Cause Chronic Illness:- Isolated seniors often suffer from various medical conditions such as chronic lung disorder, depression, mobility issues and more. Moreover, as they live alone, there are high chances of under or over-medication which can further cause their medical condition to worsen.
Is Living Alone Dangerous?
According to a study, it was proved that a majority of seniors wish to live in their home for as long as possible. While it is an understandable decision as they want to live in familiar surroundings, however, they may need assistance with their day-to-day activities.
While some people receive assistance from their friends, family and home care agencies, others are not so lucky. They may not have a family to provide them with these services and may not be able to afford the best home care agency.
Seniors can live alone safely but the following risk factors make living alone dangerous:-
• Seniors often have difficulty in medication management. They forget if they have taken the medicine or can take it twice. Seniors are at a higher risk of under an overdose of medication which can lead to unintentional side effects.
• Seniors often lack the ability to cook, clean, bath, get dressed or eat without assistance. They are no longer able to live alone.
• Seniors suffering from memory loss often forget to eat and drink water. This lead to poor nutrition and dehydration. These changes in seniors should be monitored closely.
The Bottom Line
Senior isolation is a real and dangerous problem which can affect millions of seniors living across America. However, understanding the problem is the first step to decrease senior isolation. Does the senior live in a remote area with no neighbors around? Is he surrounded by opportunities but avoiding engaging with them? Understating the root problem of isolation makes it easy to provide a better solution.
Seniors who lack mobility are also at higher risk of depression. This is because they have to depend on their family and friends to take them to grocery shopping, to the doctor and everywhere else. It may be possible that their friends and family members may be too busy to provide chauffeur service to them.
This is when the best home care agency, Utah Doctor At Home, makes it easy to schedule a no-obligation in-home medical assessment. For more information, get in touch with one of our medical providers. Call 385-247-0050!!
