EP62: Alzheimer’s Disease and Living Alone: Four Signs Someone May Not Be Safe at Home Alone

<p><strong><em>Alzheimer’s Disease and Living Alone: Four Signs Someone May Not Be Safe at Home Alone </em></strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Welcome to This is Getting Old: Moving Towards an Age-Friendly World, I’m your host Melissa Batchelor, and today I’ll be sharing</span> <strong><em>Alzheimer’s Disease and Living Alone: Four Signs Someone May Not Be Safe at Home Alone</em></strong> <em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">–</span></em> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">and what you can do about it.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A lot of people have asked me what some of the signs are that a loved one may be experiencing memory loss, when the person lives alone or you don’t live close by to see them every day. When someone lives alone, it’s easier for them to cover up memory problems. You may have to get a trusted friend or neighbor to check on your loved one if you can’t be there in person.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you are concerned about someone living alone and whether or not they are in need of help, here are 4 changes you can consider and questions to think about:</span></p> <p><strong>#1: Changes in Phone Calls</strong><span style= "font-weight: 400;">: </span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">When you talk on the phone, does the person ramble or repeat information?</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Does the person forget what they were saying, and are unable to pick back up on the train of thought when you provide a few details of what they were saying?</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Do they repeat the same story each time you call, as if it were new?</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Are you getting fewer phone calls from a person who usually calls you regularly? Or too many calls? Or maybe calls that are late at night or early in