Employment · Living Alone · Driving

Living Alone

Many people with mild symptoms of dementia live alone and function well. At some point, however, advancing symptoms can lead to safety problems and other risks to your quality of life. It will become necessary for you to either have help in your home or move to a new residence that provides assistance. Consider the following if you live alone or are alone during the day due to a working care partner:

	Food preparation can become challenging. Burnt pots on the stove, spoiled food in the refrigerator, or weight loss from forgetting to eat nutritious meals can all create safety and health risks. Consider a home-delivered meals program, like Meals on Wheels. Limit stovetop cooking and use a microwave.
	Many persons with mild memory loss have trouble managing a checkbook and keeping track of bills. Consider having rent, utility, or mortgage bills automatically paid through your bank account. Give a trusted family member or accountant power of attorney so he or she can work with you to manage your finances.
	Consider signing up with an Emergency Alert program. If you fall and injure yourself or have a medical emergency while alone, you can get immediate assistance by pressing a button on a special wristband or necklace. Contact us for more information about these programs.
	Memory loss often makes it challenging for people to manage medications. This is a considerable safety risk for people who live alone or have to take medication during the day when their care partner is out. Purchase a pill organizer at your local pharmacy. Have someone work with you to fill the container for the week so you can keep track of your medications.

Living alone puts you at risk for social isolation. This may also be the case if you are at home alone all day while your care partner is at work. It may be harder to keep track of appointments on your calendar or to do activities you previously enjoyed with others. Contact us to see what programs, activities, and services are available so you can maintain independence while being realistic about safety and symptom management.

Written by Lisa Snyder, LCSW, and reprinted with permission from Perspectives – A Newsletter for Individuals with Alzheimer’s or a Related Disorder. Published by the Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, University of California, San Diego. Available free of charge by email. Contact Lisa Snyder at lsnyder@ucsd.edu to subscribe.

Employment · Living Alone · Driving