There are already more than two million people over 65 years of age who live alone in Spain. They are almost half of the 4.7 million single-person households, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) published in 2023 on the census carried out in 2021, so it is expected that this figure will continue to increase and that there will be more and more older people living alone in Spain.
Sometimes, these solitary lives are their own decisions, but for many older people this loneliness has occurred, either due to the loss of a spouse or due to other life circumstances.
In any case, the fact that an elderly relative lives alone, even if he is perfectly autonomous, forces us to think about what we can do to help him lead a good quality of life and, in turn, prevent accidents or cognitive deterioration. In this NAMI article we want to show you what are the most common problems that can affect older people who live alone.
Most common problems in older people who live alone
As we age and reach the so-called “third age”, inevitable changes occur that affect our quality of life. We must all understand these changes and empathize with the elderly who live in our environment to provide more correct care, understand how they feel and try to prevent certain challenges and dangers that they may have to face on a daily basis.
Social isolation
Social relationships are essential for our health and well-being at all ages, especially for older people. Currently, unwanted loneliness is a fairly widespread and normalized situation among the elderly, which is a problem, since this situation is associated with decreased resistance to infections, cognitive decline and mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, lack of self-esteem and dementia. Some studies suggest that unwanted loneliness is also a risk factor for morbidity and mortality.
To avoid possible social isolation, it is advisable to encourage participation in community activities and go to senior centers. It is also highly advisable that the family organize themselves to make periodic visits and facilitate the use of technology that helps the elderly stay in touch with friends and family.
Hygiene
The ability of older people who live alone to perform daily self-care activities, such as bathing or dressing, may also decrease. In addition to the ailments of age, if the person has some physical limitation, the moment of showering can be a great difficulty, even more so if they do not have a bathroom equipped to carry out this task.
Therefore, it is very important to be aware of your hygiene and, if you need it, we will help you clean yourself. It is also a good idea to install assistive devices in the bathroom if necessary and, if possible, hire home assistance services for personal care.
And you not only have to pay attention to hygiene, but also to cleaning and maintaining your home. It is a good idea to help organize the home, schedule regular cleanings and, if necessary, we should consider hiring cleaning services.
Nutritional problems
Older people alone tend to have an unhealthy diet. The lack of motivation when having to buy and prepare food only for them reduces nutritional quality, which aggravates any physical problem that the person suffers. Additionally, due to certain health problems, your doctor may have recommended you reduce your sugar and salt intake, which limits your consumption of many foods and products.
In these cases, the elderly person’s environment should try to monitor and control what is in the refrigerator, accompany them when shopping and bring them prepared food, in order to facilitate the elderly person’s healthy diet adapted to their specific needs.
Monitoring of medical treatments
Older people often have chronic medical conditions and must take medications regularly, which can be difficult to manage.
That’s why it is necessary to help the elderly organize their medication, schedule medical appointments and keep a record of their health. Open communication between the family and health professionals is crucial so that the person can continue living alone at home in good conditions.
Accidents at home
When an elderly person lives alone and has an accident, in many cases the person is not able to function on their own. She may not even be able to sit up on her own. In case of accident or fall, resorting to a residence can be a useful option, especially if the elderly person She lives alone and the risk of a new fall is high.
That is why it is essential to be cautious and take certain safety measures (eliminate obstacles, adapt the bathroom, remove rugs from the floor, etc.), in addition to raising awareness and educating the elderly person to be prudent and not do certain tasks or actions that put them in danger.
We must also keep in mind that if the elderly person has mobility problems or memory loss, it is more likely that falls, fires and floods could occur in their home, so, if we want them to continue living at home alone, they must have their needs covered, either by a family member or by a professional caregiver.
Cognitive impairment
Memory problems, dementia, and inactivity can affect a person’s ability to carry out daily tasks.
That is why it is essential to stimulate mental activity through cognitive activities, such as puzzles, memory games and reading. It is also advisable to encourage participation in social activities to avoid cognitive deterioration.
Occurrence of psychological pathologies
Older people who live alone may face a higher risk of developing psychological pathologies due to various factors, including loneliness, the loss of loved ones, health problems and changes in their social environment.
Some of the most common psychological pathologies that can affect older people who live alone are: depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, self-esteem problems, as well as increased risk of substance abuse to cope with loneliness or health problems.
Maintaining a strong emotional support network, whether through friends, family or support groups, can be essential to counteract unwanted loneliness. It is also advisable to encourage participation in social activities or day centers that allow them to be accompanied for more time, thus reducing loneliness and strengthening emotional well-being.
Benefits of Day Centers for older people who live alone at home
Day Centers for seniors offer a variety of significant benefits for those who live alone at home. NAMI Day Centers provide a safe, structured and socially enriching environment during the day, allowing seniors to return to their homes at night.
In our centers we offer countless opportunities to socialize, make new friends and participate in group activities, which can counteract loneliness and isolation. We offer a variety of recreational and stimulating activities, such as games, arts and crafts, exercises, and social events that help keep the mind active, which is essential to prevent cognitive decline.
We also take care of the mobility of our seniors through adapted physical exercise programs that help prevent falls and promote physical health in general.
At the our Day Centers we also take care of the nutrition of the elderly and provide professional supervision throughout the day, which is especially valuable for those elderly who may have health problems or who require specialized care.
