Seniors that live alone may face many emotional issues. For example, being alone may make them feel lonely. … The emotional issues of feelings of depression, anxiety, isolation, and stress may result in the weakening of the immune system, the development of physiological conditions, and a general lack of motivation.

According to statistics, approximately 46 million seniors live in communities across the nation. Out of this amount, an average of 30% live alone.
While it is not at all uncommon for adults to live independently, the aging process often results in the inability to do and handle the tasks that young and middle-aged adults are able to complete with ease.
Furthermore, the aging process often causes a strain on the body and the mind, resulting in special needs and assistance with activities of daily living.
Most adults – regardless of age – elect to remain in their homes because it is their comfort zone and has a high level of familiarity.
However, there are many challenges that they may face as a result of this decision. In this guide, you will be introduced to the top 5 issues.
Challenge #1: The Effects of Natural Loss of Muscle Mass and Function Due to Aging
The natural aging process results in the natural loss of muscle and muscle-based functioning. Medically, this condition is termed “sarcopenia”. Each of us experience muscle growth and strength until we are in our thirties. Beyond this age, the mass of the muscles starts to dwindle and the functionality of those muscles are negatively impacted.
Individuals that are not very active – perhaps, due to a medical condition, illness, or injury – are said to lose up to 5% of their muscle mass every ten years. Those adults that remain physically active throughout their life still experience a certain percentage of muscle mass loss as they age.
Seniors that are suffering from a loss of muscle mass and the overall functionality of their muscles will reach a point where their strength, balance, and mobility are detrimentally impacted. Symptoms of this condition include general weakness, an overall loss of stamina, weight gain due to the inability of the muscles to burn fat as they once did, and lower levels of physical fitness.
Seniors that live alone during this process are likely to find that they slow down quite a bit. They may sleep more or tire faster. They may not be as strong as they once were. They may find it difficult to keep up on household tasks, and they may fall more frequently, which places them at high risk for fractures and infections. The effects of muscle mass loss and the function of the muscles will impact every area of a senior’s life.
Challenge #2: The Effects of Bone Mass Loss Due to Aging
As individuals age, the loss of bone mass or bone density occurs. This is due to the fact that the bones lose essential minerals – such as calcium – more quickly. Additionally, the gel-like cushions between the vertebrae of the spine lose fluids, resulting in a shorter spine.
The spinal column may start to curve and experience an unnatural compression. The fluids within the joints start to decrease as a result of aging. Minerals may then start to become deposited near those joints and calcification may develop.
As a result of all of these situations, the bones become more brittle. The curvature of the spine may result in balance issues. This can result in slower movements, slower speed, balance problems, and gait issues.
Living alone while experiencing the loss of bone mass can result in trips, falls, and other types of injuries and detrimentally impact a senior’s ability to do household and self-care tasks on their own.
Challenge #3: Lack of Nutrition
Many seniors are able to prepare food for themselves while living independently; however, they are likely to opt for food products that are convenient and do not take a lot of effort to prepare – such as processed, microwavable meals.
As individuals age, they become less motivated to invest a lot of time and effort into meal preparation. This is especially true if they are only cooking for themselves. Additionally, if a senior’s balance, movement, and mobility is impaired in any way, they may be physically unable to cooking meals that hold high nutritional value. As a result, nutritional deficiencies may occur
Challenge #4: Cognitive Decline
As many grow older, they start to experience cognitive issues. This is an inevitable fact of life; however, the rapidity of onset of cognitive decline and the extent it occurs varies from one individual to another. The symptoms associated with cognitive decline include – but, are not limited to – the following:
• Problem solving at a slower rate
• Inductive reasoning slowed
• Diminished capacity in terms of spatial orientation
• A decline when it comes to perceptual speed
• Decreases in abilities that include numbers
• A loss in verbal-based memory
• Possible changes in the ability to communicate
• Decline in concept of time, day, and dates
• Increased forgetfulness
Cognitive decline may make it difficult for a senior to remember when to take medications, when to eat, impact their ability to drive, negatively impact their ability to make it to appointments, and may result in self-endangerment. Examples of self-endangerment include forgetting that one is making a meal, becoming lost, and/or over medicating.
Challenge #5: Emotional Issues
Seniors that live alone may face many emotional issues. For example, being alone may make them feel lonely. They may feel isolated, which can result in depression. They may suffer from anxiety due to limitations in movements and mobility. They may experience feelings of exasperation due to being overwhelmed by cleaning their home, trying to keep on their hygiene, and/or maintaining their home.
The emotional issues of feelings of depression, anxiety, isolation, and stress may result in the weakening of the immune system, the development of physiological conditions, and a general lack of motivation.
Helping a Senior Who Lives Alone
While it is true that you may be able to assist a person of age who lives alone, chances are, your time is limited. You cannot be there day and night. Many complications may arise.
Examples include the individual not eating properly, not taking their medications according to the advice issued by their doctor, not properly caring for their hygiene, and engaging in activities that may put them at risk.
While a senior may wish to maintain their independence, oftentimes, getting a help through in- home care agency is the best option.

Benefits of hiring a caregiver through an agency.

You’ll receive more in services. For example: Agencies typically perform background checks and verify caregivers’ certifications and experience in addition to taking care of payroll and schedules.
Reputable agencies require caregivers to attend periodic training on a variety of subjects and skills, some of which are regulated by state requirements.
Private caregivers can explain their background and training, but there is often no way to verify the information.
One of the biggest advantages of using an agency is that it covers all shifts. If a private caregiver quits or doesn’t show up for a shift, you’re responsible for finding a replacement or covering the shift yourself. An agency is going to replace that person.
Another consideration is that if an agency caregiver is accused of stealing or some other infraction, agencies typically have a process for communicating with authorities, suspending the caregiver during an investigation, and reporting the incident to your state’s department of human services. Hiring through an agency brings peace of mind, especially with regard to liability.

Background Screening
Professional home health agencies perform extensive background checks on caregivers, and some states even require them by law. The background check looks for criminal records and any red flags that may indicate a problem that could jeopardize your loved one’s safety. California law prohibits an agency from hiring an applicant with a criminal background unless the applicant obtains an exemption from the state.
Potential caregivers provide their name, address, and Social Security numbers, and the agency generally submits the information to a background investigation entity or program. While some states also run fingerprints to ensure names match with the information the caregiver has provided, not all do.
Minor traffic violations don’t disqualify a candidate normally, but any driving history that indicates a history of unsafe driving is noted and taken into account. Credit histories are also checked, and some agencies may reject a candidate based on the information received.
Reputable home health agencies will provide you information on their background check process and include what checks they run their applicants through. Some agencies will also provide you with statistics as to what percentage of applicants make it through their screening process, which is a good indication of their hiring standards.
Here are some additional screenings that may be performed:
Assessment of applicant’s physical capabilities
Knowledge of HIPAA regulations
Hands-on training for transferring patients, fall prevention certification, and basic health and safety training
Nutrition training
Tuberculosis testing or chest X-ray
Experience
Some agencies hire only experienced applicants. In California, home health aides complete a state-approved training program and are certified by the state if they are successful. These trained individuals are then considered to be qualified to perform hospice and senior care in San Jose and anywhere else in the state. For those who are not certified, applicants should be able to show verifiable past employment that ensures they have the practical experience to care for seniors and hospice patients.
Ask the caregiver agency for the credentials for those who will potentially be performing home care in San Jose for your loved one. The agency should be up front, honest and open with information about the person who will have access to your loved one.
Flexible Schedules
Should you choose to hire a caregiver on your own, you may have issues with his or her flexibility and availability. If your caregiver becomes ill or be unavailable to care for your family member as expected, their absence can cause you a significant inconvenience.
When you hire a caregiver through an established agency, your elder may have a regularly scheduled caregiver, but if he or she is unable to fulfill the required schedule for any reason, the agency will have another qualified, fully screened caregiver come take over the care of your loved one as needed.
For those who have a variable schedule that changes frequently, it may be challenging to find a caregiver who can be available when you need them. An agency can work with you to ensure you have care for your loved one when you need it that is available 24/7.
Duties
Not all caregivers perform the duties you require. Some independent caregivers may agree to physical lifting and transferring patients from a bed to wheelchair and vice versa, others will not. There are those who will do light housekeeping but refuse to do any cooking.
A full-service home care provider will be able to meet your needs when it comes to caring for your senior family member. Whether you need a competent caregiver who can perform transportation duties, someone who can handle lifting and transporting throughout the day, or someone to serve as a companion and ensure your loved one takes his or her medications as prescribed, an agency will have a professional to provide the services you need to keep your elder comfortable and safe
Communication and Compatibility
It’s important that you have an open communication with both the agency and the caretaker. The agency is responsible for ensuring that the home care worker is performing as he or she should and that if you have any concerns, they are addressed quickly and professionally. You have a right to observe the caretaker’s interactions with your loved one, and if you don’t feel he or she is performing adequately, to ask for a replacement. In a private hire, it is a much more complicated and time-consuming process to let a caregiver go. You’ll be forced to start from scratch, repeating the screening and hiring process again.
Not all caretakers will connect with your elder. Some agencies offer a compatibility guarantee and make every effort to match your loved one with someone who they can connect with and whom you can trust. But if there is a compatibility issue, the agency will have the experience to deal with the problem and offer a more suitable candidate for you to consider.
CINTAA home care shares useful information regarding healthcare on weekly basis. The post is only for information purpose only. Please check with your health care professional before using this information. To keep yourself updated with many other health tips, stay with us. We provide certified caregivers for seniors at home. If you need any help regarding eldercare, please feel free to call us today at 561-963-1915.

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