Not managing at home alone.

• This is a warning sign that something is medically wrong with the older person.

• The commonest cause that I see of an elderly person not managing at home is due to unrecognised cognitive decline and dementia. 

• Other causes of not managing at home are:

   ·    Undiagnosed or untreated medical conditions including breathlessness from heart failure or lung disease.

  ·       Acute confusion (delirium).

  ·       Acute infections.

  ·       Adverse drug reactions.

  ·    Neurological decline in walking and balance, causing recurrent falls or postural dizziness.

  ·       Deteriorating nutrition with swallowing impairment and progressive weight loss.

  ·       Depression.

  • Chronic pain.

• What is self neglect in the elderly?- those with severe cognitive impairment and dementia who cannot look after their personal care, hygiene, nutrition, hydration, and medications- just too confused to be alone at home!

• Leaving old age parents to struggle alone at home when they have significant dementia is abuse or neglect of an older person and elderly neglect by family.

• However, if an older person was managing well at home alone then suddenly declines and can’t manage, then this is a medical emergency and if properly medically sorted out they should be able to return home alone again and manage well.

• A common cause of suddenly not managing at home alone is delirium which is treatable. This should not be a reason to place the older person in a nursing home but rather sort out the sudden decline with delirium.

For more information read Dr Peter Lipski’s book “Your Elderly Parents Failing Health. Is It Ageing Or A Treatable Condition”.