What Does Isolation Look Like for Seniors?

Isolation is a way of life for hundreds and thousands of senior citizens across India.

According to recent surveys, a striking fact has come to light More and more senior citizens are choosing to stay alone at home.

Understanding Why Seniors Choose to Live Alone

This is for many reasons including to maintain their specific daily routine which is different from other members in their families, to enjoy their private space, to relish the perks of retirement, to live peacefully away from the chaos.

Although isolation gives them the opportunity to live freely and independently, it is extremely essential that they have access to all basic facilities and amenities around them round-the-clock.

When Living Alone Isn’t a Choice

While some prefer to live alone, others are compelled by situations like children living abroad, not having children, death/separation of spouse, daughters marrying off, and being single throughout their lives.

While mental strength works for a few, most seniors get vulnerable due to physical and mental sufferings and limited mobility issues. Some of the difficulties that they face are listed below.

At AurumLiving Senior & Assisted Living, Gurgaon, we understand the unique challenges faced by seniors living alone. Our luxury assisted living facility offers the perfect blend of independence and support, ensuring your loved ones enjoy a fulfilling life surrounded by compassionate care and vibrant community living.

Key Challenges Faced by Seniors Living Alone

1. Alone for hours and days

Often staying unaccompanied, seniors face trouble getting around. From a simple bathroom call to visiting the medical outlet next door, even the simplest life skills and activities get extremely difficult for them.

With advanced age, they also become unfit for driving, and this makes social and medical visits difficult.

Isolation, even for a few hours, makes them perplexed about a thousand things- from preparing their next meal, to answering a phone call, booking a cab, cleaning their living space, etc.

2. Wellbeing gets impacted

For seniors, isolation often translates to succumbing to chronic illnesses and more frequent hospitalizations.

It is common amongst seniors to forget their medicines or doctors appointments, follow an unhealthy diet, skip exercises, etc. which lessen their life expectancy and affects their holistic wellbeing.

It gets even worse for those who develop dementia, depression or have physical disability.

3. Safety gets compromised

Millions of seniors end up at the hospital emergency room after slipping and falling in their house – tripping over the carpet, slipping on water in the bathroom, getting imbalanced stepping over spills on the kitchen floor, facing difficulty in climbing stairs, etc.

And as a result their safety gets compromised in a million ways. Falls are very dangerous for seniors and preventing them is essential to avoid and reduce fatality.

4. Mental health deteriorates

The major responsibilities and burdens of middle age are over by the time we enter old age and retire.

From a hectic schedule with no time, we enter a phase of freedom and leisure. However, many seniors struggle to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. As a result, their mental and cognitive health often deteriorates.

We must be aware of changes in behaviour, personality and routine that may point to

5. Inability to communicate

Staying well, unfortunately doesn’t always mean living happily, given the present Indian family system.

Often the seniors need more than just fulfilling day-to-day requirements. They need people around them to enjoy a good meal, gossip about a favourite show on TV, visit the nearest mall or park, to find motivation for exercising, and to communicate their needs.

That seniors often get fearful of change, makes it all the more difficult for people around them to assist them.

6. Ray of hope

While regular consultation through conversation is one of the ways to stay updated about their wellbeing, one should always be near to them or at least stay connected over the phone.

One can also consider installing video cameras to keep a check on safety and security of seniors living alone.

Since seniors too feel the need for socializing and indulging in hobbies, they can be relocated to senior living residences where they can live independently and live life on their own terms, socialize as much they want and carry on the activities they love.

Staying at an assisted living home gives seniors the opportunity to socialize with like-minded people.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Why are more senior citizens in India choosing to live alone?

Ans: Many seniors choose to live alone to maintain their specific daily routines, enjoy private space, relish the perks of retirement, and live peacefully away from household chaos.

However, some are compelled by circumstances such as children living abroad, not having children, loss of spouse, or being single.

Q2: What are the biggest risks for seniors living alone?

Ans: The major risks include being alone for extended hours without assistance, compromised safety due to falls, deteriorating mental and physical health, forgetting medications and doctor appointments, and the inability to communicate their needs effectively.

Q3: How can families support seniors who live alone?

Ans: Families can support their elderly members through regular phone calls and conversations, installing video monitoring systems for safety, frequent visits, and considering senior living residences where they can live independently while having access to care and companionship.

Q4: What are the warning signs that a senior living alone needs help?

Ans: Warning signs include changes in behaviour, personality, and routine; frequent falls or accidents, forgetting medications, following unhealthy diets; skipping exercises, signs of depression or dementia; and difficulty with daily activities like cooking, cleaning, or personal hygiene.

Q5: How can assisted living help seniors who live alone?

Ans: Assisted living facilities provide seniors the opportunity to live independently on their own terms while offering round-the-clock access to basic facilities and amenities, opportunities for socializing with like-minded people, engagement in hobbies and activities, and professional care support whenever needed.