Rebecca and her husband live 500 miles away from her 82-year-old mother, who suffers from arthritis and is exhibiting the early signs of Alzheimer's disease. Rebecca worries about her mother’s safety, but every time she shares her concerns, the answer is always the same: “Everything is fine. Stop worrying about me.”
The Dangers of Seniors Living Alone
One day, Rebecca receives a phone call from a hospital social worker. Her mother fell down the stairs, broke her hip and was hospitalized. Rebecca’s mother insists it could have happened to anyone and that she is perfectly safe at home and able to take care of herself.
“This is a common scenario,” says Pamela Braun, MSW, LCSW, C-ASWCM, CPF, President of Geriatric Assessment, Management & Solutions in Sun City, Arizona. “When questioned about their situation and needs, an elderly person may hide the truth from family members. Often the adult children find out what is truly going on from a third party, such as the hospital or a neighbor.”
The Emotions Involved in Transitioning to Senior Living
A person’s home represents familiar comforts, self-sufficiency and privacy. That is why the prospect of moving in with a relative or transitioning to a senior living facility is one of the most difficult decisions a person must make in their lifetime. For families who are struggling with this decision, logic often takes a back seat to powerful emotions.
However, the difficult task of determining whether an aging loved one can remain at home safely must be addressed. Geriatric care managers (GCMs), who are also known as Aging Life Care Professionals, frequently help families through this process. A GCM is a professional who specializes in assisting older people and their families with long-term care arrangements. They typically begin by conducting a thorough assessment to determine if a senior is physically and mentally able to continue living in their own home.
Braun says allowing an aging parent to remain at home is the least invasive intervention and can be successful as long as it is approached realistically. “When people move out of their home, it is usually after Plan A (remaining at home) did not work. Trying the least restrictive approach first is advisable, but family members must be realistic about their loved ones’ abilities.”
Evaluating a Senior’s Ability to Age in Place
To determine if an elderly person can continue living at home, take a good look at all aspects of their present housing situation and how each one affects their safety and quality of life. An in-person visit offers the most accurate evaluation, which should combine elements of a functional assessment to identify impairments in activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) as well as a home safety assessment. Braun suggests addressing the following topics and questions.
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Medication Management
Do they remember to take their medications at prescribed doses and times? Have they had any hospitalizations or health issues due to skipped doses or multiple doses? If you aren’t sure, look for signs of mismanagement, such as expired medications or pill bottles that are spread out in different rooms with no apparent structure or routine. -
Meal Preparation
Can they cook for themselves? Are they eating balanced meals? Are they able to safely operate kitchen appliances? Have there been any incidents where they have forgotten a meal in the oven, accidentally left the stove on or started a fire? -
Safety and Mobility
Do they have difficulty getting around the home or taking stairs? Have they fallen in the home? Do they have a plan in place to summon help in case of an emergency? If mobility is an issue, can the home be equipped with safety devices like grab bars, an emergency response system and other tools to ensure safety? If they do not use a mobility aid for added stability, would they be open to using one? -
Personal Hygiene
Can they bathe themselves, groom adequately and launder their clothes and linens? Are they bathing frequently enough? A generally unkempt appearance, body odor and soiled clothing are clues that a senior is unable or unwilling to care for themselves properly. -
Transportation
Are they still driving? Are they safe behind the wheel or have they gotten in car accidents or gotten lost while driving? Do they have alternate means of transportation for doctor’s appointments, grocery shopping and other errands? -
Socialization
Are they isolated from others most of the time? Do they have friends? How often do they get out of the house? Are they showing signs of depression? -
Home Management
Is the house clean or in general disarray? When visiting in person, take a peek in each room (including bathrooms) to get a feel for their level of cleanliness. Keep an eye out for stains on furniture and carpets, unusual odors, and spoiled food in the refrigerator. -
Financial Management
Are they paying their bills on time? Are there stacks of unopened mail, unpaid bills or late payment notices lying around? Are there signs that they’ve been spending excessively? Do they get calls from telemarketers or creditors?
Print: ADL Assessment Checklist for Elderly Living Alone
Knowing When to Intervene With Aging Parents
It’s important to recognize that, even if a loved one is experiencing difficulties in some of the areas discussed above, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they need to move to a long-term care facility. For example, in cases where household chores and meal preparation are a challenge, supportive services can be brought into the home. A cleaning service, meal delivery service or a few hours of in-home care can ensure these needs are met.
Read: Benefits of Hiring In-Home Care for an Older Adult
For some seniors, social issues may be the priority. They may not necessarily need assistance with activities of daily living but could benefit from a new living arrangement. If they can no longer drive, have an increasingly limited social life, or show signs of loneliness and depression, senior living might be the answer. Residents in independent living communities and assisted living facilities need only step outside their apartment in order to engage in activities, socialize with their peers and catch a ride to the doctor.
In some cases, a comprehensive assessment may reveal hazards associated with a senior’s current living situation and serious changes in their mental and physical health. Poor money management can make them more vulnerable to financial elder abuse, a burned pot left on the stove could easily lead to a house fire and unresolved mobility issues could result in a life-changing fall. It is up to you to objectively look at their situation, be realistic about the implications of what you find and take proactive steps to work with your loved one to ensure their wellbeing.
Braun has been involved in many of these assessments and acknowledges that it is a delicate situation. “The entire process constitutes a role reversal between adult children and their parents, and it typically is not welcomed by elders.” Acting on the results of your evaluation can be challenging if a loved one is resistant to change, but there are some tips for talking about senior living that can help.
Sources: Aging Life Care Association: What You Need to Know (https://www.aginglifecare.org/ALCA/About_Aging_Life_Care/ALCA/About_Aging_Life_Care/What_you_need_to_know.aspx?); Evaluating capacity to live independently and safely in the community: Performance Assessment of Self-care Skills (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4186770/)