Post by norbert1 on Jul 4, 2006 13:39:58 GMT -5
The best and only information on this is the live alone assessment developed at the University of Iowa. It was developed because the average social worker has no uniform guidelines to make such a determination. One of the big problems is there is no way to know how a person will react in an emergency situation.
Check it out.
do a web search for ---
"Signs to watch for in people who live alone or who are at high risk"
or go to
www.nursing.uiowa.edu/consumers_patients/livealone.pdf
Items from the assessment
Not eating properly
Not taking medications properly
Unsafe conditions – has the house been safety proofed – Proper stove use
Falls or injury
Wandering from the home
Uncontrolled psychosis
State of worry when alone – anxiety, chronic worry, depression
------------------------
Frequently calling family or neighbors (using as external memory) asking what to do.
Poorly controlled incontinence.
Exploitation by others.
-------------------
You also have to consider the persons quality of life. Are they just sitting in front to the TV all day. Would they do better in an environment with other people and planned activities.
Check it out.
do a web search for ---
"Signs to watch for in people who live alone or who are at high risk"
or go to
www.nursing.uiowa.edu/consumers_patients/livealone.pdf
Items from the assessment
Not eating properly
Not taking medications properly
Unsafe conditions – has the house been safety proofed – Proper stove use
Falls or injury
Wandering from the home
Uncontrolled psychosis
State of worry when alone – anxiety, chronic worry, depression
------------------------
Frequently calling family or neighbors (using as external memory) asking what to do.
Poorly controlled incontinence.
Exploitation by others.
-------------------
You also have to consider the persons quality of life. Are they just sitting in front to the TV all day. Would they do better in an environment with other people and planned activities.
