Senior home care health tips are important for seniors who live at home on their own and need to take good care of their health. Normally, seniors who live independently are in good health. However, it is easy to fall into unhealthy habits which can put a healthy, independent senior’s health at risk. As well, as a senior there are a lot of risks and potential dangers to living alone that should also be considered.
As a senior who lives alone falling poses a big risk. Falling can cause serious injuries, including back, neck and head injuries and broken bones. Seniors who suffer from a fall can take longer to heal and their overall health can deteriorate as a result. A senior who lives alone at home and falls may not be able to get to the phone to call for help. The inability to get help or move after a fall can lead to serious situations including dehydration, starvation or even death if the fallen senior is not found in time. To avoid this awful scenario, seniors who are on their own should consider a help line service, home care service where a caregiver checks in on them, or even asking a neighbor to check in on them regularly. Even the healthiest senior can fall and get seriously hurt so these options are good ideas for seniors of all ages and at all levels of mobility and health.
Seniors who live alone often neglect to eat well. Unhealthy eating habits can be caused by many scenarios, including restricted incomes, mobility issues, vision problems, memory problems, transportation limitations and an inability to shop for fresh produce and lack of knowledge about, or desire, to spend the time cooking healthy meals for one.
Unfortunately, many seniors fall into unhealthy eating habits at a time in their lives when healthy eating is most important. Seniors can be at an increased risk for osteoporosis, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer. All of these health conditions can be prevented or, at least the risk reduced by eating a healthy, balanced diet filled with milk products, fresh fruits and vegetables.
Seniors who suffer from memory problems and live alone face many more challenges in the home than one would think. For example, forgetting to turn off the stove, or blow out a candle can be a serious fire hazard. Seniors with reduced vision and hearing who live independently also have their own sets of risks such as not being able to hear a smoke alarm go off, or see well enough to drive and get out of the house to run errands.
Seniors who do not have a good support system of friends and family are at risk for mental health issues including anxiety and depression. These seniors risk becoming shut-ins, shut off from their community. It is important to help seniors who live alone remain active in the community as this has a positive outcome on one’s mental, emotional and physical health.
Seniors who live alone have a right to remain independent, despite the risks discussed here. By focusing on healthy living and lifestyle choices a senior citizen can remain healthy and live independently and safely. Still, it’s important to consider senior home care, life line services or to rely on a friend or neighbor to check in regularly just in case something serious does happen and help is needed.
