Many seniors prefer to age in place, but living alone at home may not be safe for those with disabilities. Losing vision and having trouble moving around can make everyday tasks hard. Some homes might need expensive changes to be safe.
Elderly people with disabilities who live at home may require a full-time caregiver. This can be expensive, especially when combined with other household expenses. According to the CDC, many who choose to age in place report unmet healthcare needs.
Did You Know? Approximately 16 million Americans have a disability. Seniors living with at least one disability is expected to double by 2034. (Source:40-Year Projections of Disability and Social Isolation of Older Adults for Long-Range Policy Planning in Singapore – PMC (nih.gov)
There are available options for those who require access to round-the-clock personal care and supervision, including assisted living. While often seen as an unmanageable expense, inclusive assisted living residences are often less expensive than the rent/mortgage, meals, home maintenance, and in-home care they replace – and nothing falls through the cracks.
Most Common Disabilities Seniors Live With
While any disability can strike anyone at any time, there are some that afflict senior adults more frequently than others. Disabilities may be characterized as intellectual, physical, sensory, or mental.
Intellectual Disabilities: Intellectual disabilities impact the ability to learn new things, problem solve, use good judgment, and communicate effectively. These disabilities may be diagnosed as mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the type, scope, and severity of the symptoms. Most affected by intellectual disabilities were born with their condition, and the situation is often identified in childhood. These medical conditions may include Down’s syndrome, autism, Fragile X syndrome, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and brain malformation. Intellectual disabilities may also result from a lifetime of drug or alcohol use or exposure to heavy metals such as mercury and lead through environmental factors.
Sensory Disabilities: Medical conditions that affect hearing, vision, taste, touch, or smell are categorized as sensory disabilities. These disabilities may arise from age-related dementia or neuropathy, macular degeneration, conductive or sensorineural hearing loss, and disorders occurring on the autism spectrum. Sensory processing disorder causes individuals to develop a severe sensitivity to sound, light, and touch, and they may also experience issues with motor skills.
Physical Disabilities: Physical disabilities are most often classified as mobility challenges. Older adults with physical disabilities may be wheelchair-bound or may require a cane or walker to safely get around. These issues can manifest for many reasons, including medical conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, or Parkinson’s disease. Physical disabilities may also be caused by injuries, fragility related to aging, or lack of exercise.
Mental Disabilities: Research conducted in 2015 revealed that nearly 1 in 5 seniors aged 55 and older were living with a mental health disorder. These disorders included depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, or substance use disorder, but all adversely impacted quality of life.
How Assisted Living Can Help
Living at home alone with any disability can be uncomfortable, frustrating – or, at worst, dangerous. A family caregiver can help to alleviate the stress and anxiety of the situation, but many people do not have someone in their circle who can be a full-time, unpaid caregiver. Hiring a professional caregiver or looking into assisted living communities is another option.
An assisted living community assists seniors to age in place. From grab bars in the bathrooms to color-coded hallways and round-the-clock supervision, assisted living fills in many of the gaps that can occur when someone lives at home. In our next blog, we will discuss what features you should look for in an assisted living facility if you are a disabled individual.
My Care Finders is a professional senior placement service that helps families make the best choice for their loved ones. Our services are always free of charge, so call today to learn more.
