{"id":11929,"date":"2017-05-17T07:00:32","date_gmt":"2017-05-17T12:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senioradvisor.com\/blog\/?p=11929"},"modified":"2021-07-06T14:44:15","modified_gmt":"2021-07-06T19:44:15","slug":"when-your-elderly-neighbor-needs-help","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/d30braiqprupoq.cloudfront.net\/blog\/2017\/05\/when-your-elderly-neighbor-needs-help\/","title":{"rendered":"When Your Elderly Neighbor Needs Help"},"content":{"rendered":"

When Your Elderly Neighbor Needs Help\"When<\/a><\/h1>\n

As our population grows older, this is becoming a more common scene: neighbors trying to find help for another neighbor whose driving now poses a danger to others, whose home is in disrepair, or whose utilities are often cut off for nonpayment. If you’re in this situation, you may feel both worried for your neighbor and frustrated by your efforts to find assistance. Here are some things to know when your elderly neighbor needs help.<\/p>\n

More seniors living alone and more \u201celder orphans\u201d<\/h2>\n

Aging in place and living alone can work fine for seniors, as long as they’re socially connected and can live safely on their own. In 2014, about 12.5 million US seniors lived alone, including nearly half of American women age 75 and older.<\/p>\n

Problems arise, though, when solo-living seniors have no one to check in on them and no family to step in and help out. These so-called \u201celder orphans<\/b><\/a>\u201d can suffer from social isolation, and health problems can cascade into poor self-care, a neglected home, and problems running errands and caring for pets.<\/p>\n

Signs that your older neighbor may need help<\/h2>\n

You may notice behavior changes like increased irritability or confusion that can indicate health problems. Other signs your neighbor may be in need are:<\/p>\n