They Call it Home Sweet Home: But is it Safe for People with Memory Loss to Live Alone?

By Laurie White, MSW

Let’s be honest: few of us will want to leave our homes when we grow older, despite some possible safety issues. Our home is not just a house – it is a place that is full of memories and one that symbolizes our independence. The comfort and security that our home gives us is not measurable, yet it is something we all understand.

But when a relative shows signs of memory loss or is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, and her condition worsens, family members often have to determine if their relative is safe living alone at home. A person with dementia may not be aware of the safety and health issues that her living situation presents.

So, what is safe? The answer can vary from family to family and even among family members. Some of us will tolerate risky or uncertain situations longer than others. To help you make the determination if your relative is safe, click here for some questions for you and your family to think about:

When You Don't Live Close To An Aging Parent

What to Do When Your Loved One Needs Long Distance Care

Marian Cremin

The email from my father’s wife in Connecticut was short and direct. “I need help.” My father’s moderate dementia, confusion, and poor ambulation had gotten to the point that he could no longer stay alone. He was at risk of falling, was unable to prepare food for himself, and at times became disoriented.

For years I lived a train ride away from them in NYC. In 2000 I moved with their enthusiastic blessings to start a life with my husband in California. My siblings are settled with jobs and families in the mid- and southeastern US. My father’s wife is fit and healthy but housebound by his needs. She needed respite.

Scenarios like mine play out each and every day in thousands of American’s lives. How do you manage this situation without picking up and moving your family or your parent?

If this scenario sounds familiar, remote caregiving might be the answer. Fortunately, there are now many home care agencies which focus on remote caregiving and taking the burden off families and loved ones of those that need care. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities are not the only options available. Non-medical home care allows your loved ones to live where they want to be... their own home.

Click here for some questions to consider when determining if your loved one needs professional care.

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