Three signs that aging in place isn't an option

He wanted to grow old in his own home. But at 85 years old, it was clear that Jim Warner was struggling to not only manage the farmhouse he called home for more than 50 years, but also struggling to take care of himself.

"I wasn't remembering to eat or take my medicine," said Warner, who just wanted to find a way to continue to age in place. "The house needed cleaning, the bathroom and shower needed plumbing work, but I wasn't ready to move in with one of my daughters."

Warner isn't alone. Remaining independent and at home is what nearly 90 percent of the aging population would like to do, according to aging studies. And many people do it alone. In 2010, it's estimated that 11.3 million seniors lived alone, with 47 percent of those women ages 75 or older.

In the Barrington area, more than 20 percent of the 65-plus population lives alone, according to a recent community survey. And that number is expected to increase as demographic studies estimate that more than 42 percent of the entire Barrington population will be age 65-plus by 2030.

But how do you know if you or your loved one should live alone?

"There are some definitive signs," said Joyce Palmquist, executive director of the Barrington Area Council on Aging. "And if a senior has a difficult time admitting that there's a problem, a loved one can help."

Prone to falling

Take a good look around. Can you access a bedroom by a stairway only? Are there slippery tiles in the kitchen or bathroom, or is there tall shelving? Is there a large yard?

Trouble may be lurking.

"People become more prone to tripping or falling on stairs or flooring as they age because of balancing issues," said Palmquist. "They may think they can reach that box on a top shelf like they've always done, but then fall when they least expect it."

Cognitive changes

At first, it may seem like losing keys or other personal items are normal to the aging process, but if those items are routinely turning up in the freezer or other strange places, it may be a sign of a problem.

"Memory loss that impacts someone's daily life is a sign of a larger cognitive problem," said Palmquist. "Getting an official diagnosis is the first step. The second is to ensure they are physically safe in their environment. Living alone in this situation is rarely an option."

Physical impairment

Parkinson's or other progressive diseases can keep older adults from being able to manage everyday life.

"If a loved one is struggling with personal hygiene or everyday home tasks, it could be time to start considering other housing options or in-home care," said Palmquist. "There's no hard, fast rule, but people should be aware of all options before a crisis occurs."