While aging is universal, the ways in which we begin to show our age can be as unique as a fingerprint. Some may realize that those aging parents can safely enjoy the freedom to live alone well into their 70s or 80s, while illnesses such as dementia or physical limitations may cause relatively young parents to need personal care 24 hours a day. While no two situations will be the same, here are some key signs that an aging parent can no longer live alone. Are there older people who live alone and enjoy it? I'm 74 years old and I live alone and I really enjoy it. However, I'm worried that if something happens to me, there's no one to help me or I could be here for days before someone finds out about me.
I have a daughter in the same city, but she rarely checks if I'm okay. He used to check it every day and now he's stopped doing it, I guess he thinks I'm fine. That's all I'm worried about. I rent and work part time. I'm trying to get subsidized housing for the elderly, but that could take a few years.
However, there may come a time when the demands of caring for an aging parent outweigh the logistical, financial, or emotional resources available. These alternatives can be costly and may require some major lifestyle changes on your part, that of your parents or your family. For these reasons, nearly 64 percent of single tenants aged 80 and over have to pay an economic burden, compared to 18 percent of couples who are landlords (figure). As mentioned before, moving an older parent to an assisted living facility or home can be financially and emotionally draining.
The burden of providing care without outside help can strain your family's resources and emotional well-being. In addition, there is the cost of home nursing staff, trips to the hospital, ambulance trips and other health-related expenses. Climbing stairs, picking things up from higher shelves, and driving to the grocery store can be difficult, if not dangerous, and it's when parents start to struggle with these tasks that the need for daily help may arise. Going forward, all levels of government must address the needs of older adults who live alone, in particular those who require home services and who live in places where social connections are hampered due to limited transportation options.
It's not easy to know when a family member's needs have exceeded the level of care a family can provide. A person who is still in their 30s and 40s may begin to show early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, although it is more common in people who are of retirement age or older. An otherwise perfectly healthy (albeit somewhat weak) elderly person may suffer a serious injury, which in turn presents new challenges in terms of healing and ongoing care. However, if older parents start to make excuses or be dishonest in the face of recurring problems, it may be time to step in. It's not always enough to recognize that older parents can no longer live alone; you should also pay attention to the events that led to this decision.
Not only does depression affect a person's perspective, it also negatively affects the immune system, making a depressed person much more susceptible to other physical ailments.
