older people’s health issues
Older People Living Alone
Introduction
In the United States, nearly 30% of the almost 60 million older people who live in the community (as opposed to an institution, such as a nursing home) live alone. About half of people who are 85 years or older and live in the community live alone. About three quarters of older people living alone are women. Men are more likely to die before their wives, and widowed or divorced men are more likely to remarry than are widowed or divorced women. Living alone can present many challenges: People who live alone are more likely to be poor, and poverty is increasingly more likely the longer they live alone. Many older people who live alone say they feel lonely and isolated. Because eating is a social activity for most people, some older people who live alone do not prepare full, balanced meals. Some older people have medical or dental problems that interfere with appetite, eating, or digestion. Thus, undernutrition becomes a concern. Among people with health problems or difficulty seeing or hearing, it is all too easy for new or worsening symptoms of disease to go unnoticed. Many older people who live alone have problems following directions for prescribed treatments. Despite these challenges and problems, most older people who live alone express a keen desire to maintain their independence. Many fear being overly dependent on others and wish to continue to live alone despite the challenges they face. Engaging in regular physical and mental activities and staying connected with others help older people who are living alone maintain their independence. People returning home from a hospital stay, particularly after surgery, may benefit from having a discussion with a social worker or health care practitioner about any extra services that will be needed. Such services, which may include home health aides or visiting nurses, can help ensure that people resume living independently. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic (making face-to-face communication difficult), many community-based mental health and social care providers have increased their capacity to provide services remotely, using technology. 