4 Potential Risks of Letting Seniors Live Alone

It’s understandable that aging adults want to keep their independence as long as possible. However, letting seniors live by themselves comes with many safety risks.

If you’reconsidering senior livingfor an older adult in your life, you’re putting their safety and well-being first. Here are some of the ways seniors living alone can go wrong. 

1. Accidental Fires

Fires are a major concern for elderly adults living alone. If your loved one forgets to turn off an appliance or leaves a gas-powered item running for too long, it could turn into a tragedy.

There’s no way to know when or how your loved one might suffer from a lapse in memory or judgment. There are many potential fire hazards in traditional apartments and houses.

Senior living prevents fires by securing appliances, stoves, and other potential fire hazards. Your loved one would never have to worry about burning themselves or their belongings. 

2. Slips, Falls, and Injuries

Falling is a common risk among the elderly population. As we age, we all become more vulnerable to bone fractures and mobility problems. This leads to increased risks of slipping, falling, and getting injured.

Bathtubs aren’t the only fall risk in a standard home. Kitchens, hardwood flooring in living rooms, and wet surfaces can cause slips and falls at any time.

If your loved one lives alone, they may not be able to reach a phone to call for help. Even worse, they could be knocked unconscious when they fall, which prevents help from arriving quickly.

Senior living communities are designed to accommodate a range of mobility levels. This prevents accidental falls and keeps seniors safe from injuries. 

3. Wandering and Getting Lost

If memory problems strike, your loved one could be at risk of getting lost.

There are hundreds of incidents each year of seniors leaving their homes and wandering around, ending up lost. If they aren’t able to remember where they live or who to call for help, they could end up in serious danger.

Wandering is more common than you may know, and it can be fatal. If your loved one ends up in the presence of an unfriendly stranger, animal, or group of people, their safety will be severely compromised. 

4. Loneliness and Depression

Seniors who live alone often struggle with depression and feelings of loneliness. They may not have contact with someone in person for multiple days or even weeks at a time.

To prevent loneliness, seniors should reside in communities that have their best interests in mind.

Protect Your Aging Loved One: Senior Living

Senior living communities prioritize the safety and security of seniors every day. If your loved one moves into senior living, you can have peace of mind knowing they are safe and cared for daily.