Lonely Deaths Prevention: Why Caregiver is Important for Seniors Living Alone

Lonely Deaths Prevention: Why Caregiver is Important for Seniors Living Alone - MalaysiaCaregiving Support

Lonely Deaths Prevention: Why Caregiver is Important for Seniors Living Alone

In Malaysia, 10 elderly have been reported to have died alone in 2023. How can this be prevented with the presence of caregivers? Let’s find out in this article.

Social Isolation and Loneliness of Seniors in Malaysia

Speaking to the Star, Universiti Malaya’s professor of geriatric medicine Dr Shahrul Bahyah Kamaruzzaman noted that the “rising numbers (of lonely deaths) should prompt the relevant stakeholders to provide safety nets for those who are socially isolated, may no longer be able to make their own medical decisions and have no designated surrogates” to take care of them in their advance age.

As it is, Malaysia is rapidly becoming an ageing society, especially as senior citizens in the country account for at least 15.3 percent of the total national population, or approximately 5.6 million seniors. While medical advances have assured better healthcare outcomes for senior citizens, other problems continue to persist and drive home the importance of looking after our elderly loved ones. Among issues of concern include the 10 deaths of elderly persons in 2023, all of whom died alone in their homes.

Equally concerning is that the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) of 2018 estimated that 7.4 percent of elderly people lived alone for various reasons. In the Fifth Malaysian Population and Family Survey report, released in 2016, 4.7 percent of elderly respondents did not receive any form of support from their children. Meanwhile, from 2018 to June 2022, it was reported that as many as 2,144 senior citizens were abandoned at various hospitals nationwide. Why are these issues still happening? And can we as a caring society do something to overcome this troubling problem?

Basic Care for the Elderly

Like any other person, senior citizens have various rights to live a good life in their final years. That means having access to accommodation, basic amenities (such as running water), healthy food, medical aid, and sufficient funds for various expenses (among other crucial aspects). Denying them any of these is not only unlawful but also dangerous to their well being in the long term. This is further exacerbated by the fact that disabled seniors require further attention as they are unable to adequately care for themselves due to the various restrictions they have to deal with.

Even for those who are capable of living an independent life, there may come a time when the unexpected occurs and their daily life is irrevocably changed for the worst. Without anyone to help them, their risk of poor health outcomes or mortality is elevated to a very severe degree.

Why Do the Elderly Still Live Alone?

Despite the worrying statistics, there are still many elderly persons living by their lonesome, not always by choice.

Independence

Many senior citizens very much enjoy being independent, whether or not they receive support from their family members. Maybe you know a relative who lives on their own but can still take care of themselves while also engaging themselves in various activities to pass the time, such as gardening, morning exercises, or even socialising with others of their age.

This is commonly known as “ageing in place,” and as the name suggests, your elderly loved one simply wants to spend the rest of their days on their own, freely able to do whatever they wish for as long as they’re able. They may say that they enjoy doing things on their own without having to rely on others, sometimes out of embarrassment (for needing to ask for help), sometimes out of sheer stubbornness, or for other various reasons.

Of course, the main concerns for those wanting to age in place are their security and well being. Not all seniors who age in place may have a social circle of their own, preferring to keep to themselves or simply not having any friends at all. Some others may have had a mishap and are unable to get around by themselves like they used to. When seniors feel their independence has been robbed of them, their overall health can quickly deteriorate if nothing is done to alleviate their doubts and fears.

Embarrassment/Stubbornness

As already mentioned, some elderly persons might feel embarrassed about having to ask around for help. “I can do things just fine” is a common phrase they tend to say when asked about it. This can happen whether or not their children or other family members are aware of their current circumstances: some may have cut all ties with the senior, while others find themselves unable to help for a variety of reasons (which can include being politely rebuked by their elderly loved one).

While not all seniors may think this way, many do simply because they don’t want to be a burden on their family, even if their family does truly care for them. It can take a great deal of convincing before they decide that it’s in their best interests to receive help from their family. Even then, it doesn’t always work with some people – even if they’re unwell and require medical attention to treat their illness.

Abandonment

The more painful reason why some seniors are on their own is because they were cast out, or quietly abandoned, by their own family members. Occasionally, you may have read about a senior citizen being left on their own in the hospital or even by the roadside. Elder abuse in all its forms (physical, mental, etc.) remains a cause for concern, especially as a senior citizens’ bill that aims to protect the rights of seniors will not be tabled until next year.

Abandonment is a strong cause of various adverse health outcomes in seniors, especially if they have preexisting conditions that have not been properly addressed: on top of the stress of being abandoned by loved ones, there’s also an elevated risk of chronic conditions such as severe depression and heart disease. Without any access to funding or proper medical assistance, many abandoned seniors will have a higher mortality rate compared to those in a more caring environment.

Perceptions Towards Nursing Homes/Facilities

For families that are constantly busy, not having the time or energy to look after their elderly loved ones can be a rather contentious issue. Most families are having a hard time juggling their work-life balance, and having to care for someone else can add to their stress (hence the reason why some elders don’t want to be viewed as a constant burden to their children).

Moreover, perceptions towards nursing homes are still quite low among the elderly, especially as social taboos and popular culture have perpetuated the myth that nursing homes are where the elderly go to live the rest of their lives. It also doesn’t help when there have been occasional news pieces of elder abuse by nursing home staff towards their charges. It therefore isn’t surprising for an elderly person to not want to be placed in a nursing home, even if their family only has good intentions for them.

Why a Caregiver Is So Important

The major benefits of having a caregiver cannot be understated, especially when there’s so much they can do to keep an elderly loved one in good health and great spirits.

Companionship

Being lonely can take a heavy toll on one’s mental health, especially when there’s no one to share your day with. As such, being there to look after your loved one assures them that they have someone who will keep them company at all times, someone who loves them for who they are.

Emotional Support

On that note, being someone to look out for them opens up an emotional outlet for your loved ones. They learn to be able to confide in you, sharing their worries and anxieties freely without being judged. In so doing, you can further improve your caregiving by knowing your loved one that much better. Both sides win greatly as you and your loved one’s mental health outlook greatly improve in the process.

Getting Around

An elderly person might have difficulty getting around on their own, whether for their regular medical appointments or to the nearby restaurant to get food. As they get older and more frail, they may be unable to move around on their own, let alone drive themselves from one street to another. If you’re able to look after your loved one, you can help them go to various places whenever it’s needed, and that also includes having time for you and your loved one to have a little escapade from time to time.

Medical Support

Elderly persons may end up forgetting things from time to time, but those with health conditions may find themselves unable to do various activities of daily living (ADLs) as their situation deteriorates. You can help your loved one keep track of medication timings, be able to act in case of an emergency, and be able to contact medical services when it’s absolutely needed. Early action can ensure far better health outcomes and prevent more severe circumstances (such as morbidity) from arising.

Housekeeping for Save Living

When an elderly person is unable to look after themselves, their surroundings are also affected. Once they become unable to maintain their house, this can lead to a host of problems – including a higher risk of tripping and falling with dire consequences. Being around to take care of your loved one means that you’ll be able to clean up whenever necessary and ensure that the house remains in safe living condition.

Dietary Requirements

Elderly persons might be eating and drinking less than the recommended amounts that they should consume. If they become very ill, their dietary intake can shrink even further and lead to a much higher risk of adverse outcomes. As a caregiver, you can ensure that your loved one will receive the nutrition they need to make a proper recovery or have the energy to be able to do the things they enjoy. This means cooking or buying healthy meals.

Financial Assistance

An elderly person may not be able to work to earn a living, or they might have difficulty carefully managing their finances. Worse yet, they might easily fall victim to a scam, costing them a significant amount of finances that will do more harm in the long term. You can help them by keeping a close eye on their finances whileprotecting them from scammers. You can speak to your loved one about how to sort out their finances better, whether it might be opening a new bank account or some other method.

A Voice of Reason

Your loved one might not necessarily see the logic behind certain things, which is one reason why they can easily fall victim to a scam, especially if they’ve been promised sweet nothings with just a little bit of convincing. As their caregiver, you have more awareness of how some scams work, and thus, you can point out the nature of the scam to your loved one. It can take a bit of convincing before they agree with your views, but you’re doing them a huge favour as a whole.

Guardianship

Keeping your loved one safe and healthy can require a great deal of effort, especially if your loved one may be putting themselves through self-neglect (either due to having no income, willfully ignoring their own self-care, or other reasons). If they have a condition that makes them behave erratically or unwilling to listen to reason, being on their own can lead to very risky outcomes, which may prove to be fatal. It’s therefore critical to give them the care they deserve in order to thrive in their waning years while also preventing themselves from getting hurt (or hurting others) in the process.

Planning Ahead

Eventually, your loved one will reach the end of their life. It’s important that you plan ahead for the rest of their days to continue giving them sufficient comfort and respite before they pass on. You might need to look intopalliative care supportto help you achieve that. In fact, studies have noted how advanced care planning ensures that a person receives satisfactory care in accordance with their wishes.

How to Help a Lonely Senior

There are many ways you can help combat loneliness in senior citizens, whether it may be your loved ones, a close family friend, or even a stranger.

Being a Caregiver

For your loved ones, it means being there for them when they need it the most. For other people, it involves volunteering with activist groups, non-governmental organisations, and charitable causes that seek to help lonely seniors. Either way, you’ll be doing your part to ensure that the care recipient gets the attention and assistance they deserve for as long as you can give it.

is hiring aspiring caregivers, nurses, and therapists to join our penjaga profesional community and provide home care to seniors and adults in Malaysia. If you are interested in joining us as a penjaga, you cansubmit your application here!

Provide Moral Support

Spending time with lonely seniors can do wonders for their self-esteem. Many seniors, especially those who have been abandoned, may feel that it isn’t worth your time or effort to invest in them and help them with ADLs or even medication requirements. But the more time you spend with them and encourage them, the sooner they’ll be able to come out of their shell and see what it means to live a good life for themselves.

It isn’t going to be easy, as there will be times when stubbornness wins out. Have patience and eventually, they’ll understand what you’re telling them.

Support Groups

Lonely seniors tend to distance themselves from others for various reasons, so it can be tricky to convince them to take the time to be part of a support group. However, there are plenty of perks that come with being part of an active community:

  • Your loved one can socialise with others who are from the same age group
  • It gives them motivation to do more with the rest of their time
  • There are plenty of fun activities to partake in
  • It inspires them to be more active within the group

Home Safety First

If you can’t always be around to help, it’s also a good idea to address concerns over their mobility and general safety around their home. Simple steps you can take to address these concerns include:

  • Getting rid of rugs, which can be potential tripping hazards
  • Make use of no-slip/non-skid floor mats or fixed carpeting
  • Avoid tiles or flooring that easily become slippery (i.e., when wet)
  • Clear the floor of any items that can cause your loved one to trip
  • Install grab bars in critical areas, such as the bathroom
  • Have handrails where needed, such as the entrance and along the staircase
  • Replace handles on doors or faucets so that they’re easier for your loved one to open
  • Make sure light switches are in convenient locations
  • Have some lights on a timer for the evening and night

All of these ensure that even an independent senior can safely navigate around the house without needing constant supervision. However, if they do have mobility issues, you might want to consider additional options to accommodate their needs:

  • Install a wheelchair or walker-friendly ramp for accessing certain areas
  • Have your loved one stay on the lower floor with easy access to key facilities like the kitchen
  • Have someone check in on them regularly (or consider hiring a caregiver; see below)

Daycare Centres

A daycare centre provides you with an avenue to let your loved one spend productive time with others of their age while you take care of your other responsibilities. For example, University Putra Malaysia (UPM) conducts the MyAgeingCares initiative, where they operate an Elderly Day Care Centre to “conduct daycare model research for seniors and offers day care services to translate research results to the community.”

For longer-term care, a nursing home or facility may be a better option, since they are able to adequately provide for your loved one’s needs, including bedding, exercises, medication timings, and so on. However, not all nursing homes are created equal: while you do need to do your homework to find a suitable nursing home that fulfills specific criteria, you also need to concern yourself with the facility’s reputation, price, and various other factors.

If it’s too much hassle, there’s always the simpler and more cost-effective alternative: home care.

Hire a Professional Caregiver

If you’re away from home and worry about your loved one’s well being while on their own, penjaga can help alleviate your anxieties. Our highly trained and certified penjaga can come to your home to provide your loved one with companionship and security, from feeding your loved one during meals, to taking them out for walks or medical appointments. You can rest assured that our penjaga will be able to deliver excellent caregiving whenever it’s needed while respecting the dignity and privacy that your loved one needs.

Let us help you with affordable home care and companionship whenever you need it.Download our appnow to find out more and start booking personalised, quality care for your loved one. References

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