Are Senior Living Communities Safer and Healthier for Seniors Living Alone?

When a senior adult loses a spouse, the house they shared can become a place where the surviving spouse is increasingly isolated and unable to cope with daily tasks.

In many cases, the surviving senior can become depressed, eat poorly, neglect exercise, take medications incorrectly, or be exposed to unsafe conditions in the home.

While most seniors want to continue to live in their home, there is a point where staying becomes hazardous to their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.

When Home is No Longer ‘Sweet’

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four people 65 and older fall each year. Often, it is due to unsafe conditions in the home. If the senior is living alone, he or she may not be able to summon medical assistance.

The report also states that driving for this age group is significantly more dangerous, resulting in increased numbers of injuries and deaths. In addition, an estimated 3.7 million seniors are malnourished, due to the fear or discomfort of driving to the grocery store.

What Do Senior Communities Provide?

Home Health Care agencies can bring a number of vital services into the home of the senior to make it a safer and healthier place. For some, however, the needs and the hours of the services required become too expensive.

Unfortunately, many seniors still think of independent living communities as sterile, depressing nursing homes, when actually these communities are places where seniors living alone can go to “begin living” again and feel less isolated.

Depending on the level of care needed, senior living communities provide:

• Meal services
• Housekeeping
• Recreational and social activities
• Transportation services
• Maintenance-free living
• Medical supervision
• Help with daily living needs
• A safe living environment
• Physical activities and fitness programs

Seniors who live in these communities mingle with their peers, form new friendships, and travel to shops, theatres, and other attractions. They also eat healthy meals via the community’s dining services.

Studies show that most older adults prefer senior independent living communities over living alone once they learn what the community has to offer.

Physical, Mental, and Emotional Wellbeing for Seniors Living Alone

The key to health for a senior is to participate in an active and engaging environment, like an independent living community that promotes physical and mental activities, medical supervision, and encouragement to live a healthy lifestyle filled with social interaction.

At Bethesda, our independent living communities across the St. Louis area offer an engaging lifestyle, and the security and safety of senior care professionals. Schedule a tour at a community near you to learn more.