Impact of living alone on Seniors | MI Assisted Living (Matt Shankles)

It is no surprise that 90% of people over the age of 65 want to stay at home for as long as they can rather than move into a MI assisted living community. Yet studies are showing that many elderly Americans are living alone in their homes, often with needs that would be better cared for in an assisted living situation. It has been shown that loneliness and infrequent contact with friends and family can shorten a person's life expectancy on its own.

Many who should, are not.

Research indicates that a large amount of individuals that should be receiving assisted living care services are still at home, often alone, and not receiving the care that they need. To many the answer is simple, move into a MI assisted living center where there is social activity, health monitoring and medication management. Yet the decision and the move can be an extremely emotional and difficult one.

At greater risk in isolation.

In 2010 reports are showing that around 11.3 million older adults were living alone. The startling fact is that 60-70% of seniors with dementia are living within the community rather than getting care, and 25% of that live alone. The numbers of those that are social isolated is surprising and ultimately will put those individuals at greater risk.

Warning signs.

It is important to care for our loved ones needs as they age to help them remain safe. Their environment needs to be appropriate for their physical needs. The combination of poor eyesight and even the most minor of safety hazards can put seniors at risk of falling. If you find your loved one needing help with everyday activities like dressing, bathing and eating, they may have the beginning stages of dementia. It is extremely important that they receive the level of care that their situation requires. Some of the most basic warning signs that it is no longer safe for your loved one to live alone include poor eyesight, social isolation, medication management issues, forgetting appointments, falling behind on daily choirs, malnutrition, forgetting to pay bills and a home with hazards like poor lighting and loose carpet.

MI assisted living communities are not for everyone, yet they can often be the best solution to a difficult problem. Seniors living alone can be at risk and are even more so when they exhibit any of the mentioned warning signs. It is a good idea to talk with your loved one who is living alone about the risks and possible alternatives so as to get them the care they need.

Heritage Community of Kalamazoo (HCK) is a mission driven MI assisted living organization and we are fully committed to the achievement of excellence in all areas of our operations, programs and services.We provide excellent kalamazoo senior services and maintain some the best retirement communities in michigan. We take our mission to heart, it drives all that we do at HCK.