The Most Overlooked Home Hazards for Seniors Living Alone

Many seniors find comfort in living alone at home, cherishing their independence and routine. That comfort, however, may be misleading: the reality is that seniors living alone face potential health and safety concerns.

It's important to be aware of these hazards and take proactive steps to mitigate them so you can stay healthy, independent, and safe in your own home as a solo ager. 

At Kendal at Home, our team and care coordinators have spent more than 20 years connecting older adults to the resources they need as they age. In our experience, these are some of the most common hazards.

1. Social Isolation and Loneliness: A Silent Threat

In the U.S., older adults are more likely to be living alone than in many other countries. About 27% of adults 60 and older live by themselves, according to Pew Research Center. That independence is wonderful, but it can increase the sense of feeling isolated.

The National Academies report that nearly 1 in 4 older adults in community settings are socially isolated, which is associated with higher risks for heart disease, dementia, depression, and even premature death.

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy even called the health impact of being socially disconnected comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.

Here are some simple ways to stay connected:

• Be intentional. Put two “call a friend” or video chats on your calendar each week. Rotate through family, neighbors, and former coworkers so you naturally maintain contact.
• Join a group. A book club, walking group, fitness class, choir, or community organization adds structure and companionship.
• Volunteer your talents. Mentoring, tutoring, park cleanups, or any type of community service boosts your sense of purpose and expands your circle.

2. Poor Diet and Nutrition Deficits

Nutrition problems can sneak up on older people, especially those living alone or cooking for one.

New clinical reviews confirm malnutrition risk increases with age and is common across settings. That can sap energy, increase fall risk, and complicate chronic conditions.

Here are a few ways to be proactive about eating healthier:

• Prep simple meals. Make hearty soups, grain bowls, or "one pan" meals of roasted chicken, potatoes and root vegetables a few times a week and portion them out into storage containers so meals are always ready.
• Stock “no-prep” healthy staples. Yogurt, cottage cheese, rotisserie chicken, pre-washed greens, frozen veggies, and microwavable grains make balanced plates in minutes.
• Consider meal delivery kits. You can choose your dietary needs and preferences, budget and how often you want a box of ready-to-make meals delivered. There are many options. Here's an honest assessment of some of the most popular delivery services.
• Make eating social. Plan one shared lunch or dinner each week with friends or neighbors. Staying connected improves your appetite and quality of life.
• Hydrate on a schedule. Keep a water bottle in your favorite space and sip every hour.

If you're realizing you're having a harder time grocery shopping or preparing meals because of mobility challenges, our care coordinators can conduct nutritional assessments and connect you with someone to help in this area. We can also make referrals to meal delivery services on your behalf.

3. Chronic Health Conditions

Diseases such as heart failure, diabetes, and COPD often worsen over time, leading to fatigue, shortness of breath, or weakness. Managing complex medical needs at home becomes increasingly difficult without support.

According to the National Council on Aging, the most common chronic conditions for older adults are: 

• High blood pressure (61%)
• High cholesterol (55%)
• Arthritis (51%)
• Obesity (30%)
• Diabetes (24%)
• Cancer (20%)
• Heart disease (16%)
• Depression (15%)
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (16%)
• Asthma (9%)

While it’s likely you’ll experience at least one of these conditions at some point, there are ways to reduce your risks. Here are a few things you can do now:

• Keep moving. Regular activity helps maintain strength, balance, and energy. Consider joining an exercise class or invite friends to go hiking, walking or biking.
• Eat a balanced diet. A good rule of thumb is to focus on the perimeter of the grocery store and fill your cart with whole foods like fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, dairy, and whole grains. Limit the number of heavily processed foods you find down many of the aisles, which tend to be high in added salt, sugar, and chemicals.
• Don’t skip annual check-ups. According to CDC estimates, one in three adults were not up to date on routine health screenings such as mammograms, cervical cancer screening and colonoscopies. Older adults should also be tested for skin cancer and have annual bloodwork to identify high cholesterol, blood sugar levels and other early indicators of chronic conditions.
• Find healthy ways to reduce stress. Practice breathing techniques like "box breathing" where you inhale slowly through your nose while counting to four, hold your breath for four seconds, exhale for four seconds, and hold your breath again for another four seconds. Practicing yoga, journaling, or meditation can also be helpful.

4. Fall Hazards: A Leading Cause of Hospitalization at Home

Falls are one of the most common dangers for seniors living alone. Seniors often find themselves navigating homes filled with potential fall risks—loose rugs, poor lighting, and cluttered pathways. These seemingly harmless elements can lead to problems, such as serious injuries, hospitalization, and loss of independence.

Here are a few safety tips to reduce falls:

• Install grab bars in key areas such as bathrooms and hallways.
• Ensure adequate lighting in stairways and frequently used rooms.
• Remove tripping hazards like loose rugs and clutter.
• Work on your balance with daily exercises like repeatedly standing up and sitting down in a chair slowly, stepping sideways to the right and then left, and standing with the heel of one foot directly in front of the toes of the other foot for 10 seconds. 

You can find more fall prevention exercises and resources in this five-part video series.

5. Medication Mismanagement: Overdoses and Missed Doses

Many seniors take multiple prescriptions daily, making medication mismanagement a serious concern. You or a loved one may struggle to keep track of various medications, which can lead to accidental overdose or skipped doses. Seniors with memory issues may forget whether they’ve taken their medications, which can result in hospitalizations, or worse.

Here are a few ways to stay on top of medications:

• Keep an updated list of your medications and the dosage. Take this list to your doctor or pharmacy. 
• Use only one pharmacy. This will minimize confusion and keep a record in one place.
• Use a patient portal. Most physicians offer online portals such as MyChart, which makes it easier to keep track of prescriptions and follow-up appointments. Consider giving access to a trusted family member in case of an emergency.
• Get a pill organizer. Having a simple, visual reminder of the medication you need to take daily will help you stay consistent. 

6. Fire and Electrical Safety Risks

Your home may contain outdated wiring, overloaded power outlets, or unattended cooking appliances, all of which are common causes of house fires. If you have mobility issues, you may find it difficult to react quickly in an emergency.

Follow these fire safety tips:

• Make sure you have smoke detectors in your bedroom, kitchen, and key areas on every floor, and check batteries every six months (when you change your clocks for Daylight Saving Time) or purchase units designed to last for 10 years.
• Keep carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas.
• Have your furnace inspected and serviced once a year.
• Avoid overloading electrical outlets and replace damaged cords.
• Keep fire extinguishers in your kitchen and garage, and be sure you know how to use them. Remember the PASS method: pull, aim, squeeze, sweep.
• Make sure you have two ways to escape from every room. Keep hallways and stairs clear, and add lights to your bedroom and bathroom route.

6. Home Security Threats

Seniors living alone at home can become targets for burglaries.

There are several things you can do now to stay safer, including:

• Add motion-sensor lights at your front and back doors, driveway, and dark corners.
• Keep views clear. Trim your shrubs, lift low branches, and keep windows visible from the street so it's easier to spot anything unusual.
• Use package delivery instructions, such as a side door or parcel box, or ship to a nearby store to avoid “porch pirates."
• Stay connected with neighbors. Exchange phone numbers and agree to text if something looks off, such as an unknown car parked in the driveway for a long period of time while you're away.
• Secure doors and windows. Install deadbolts and reinforce strike plates. Add a wide-angle peephole or video doorbell so you can see before you open.
• Consider smart locks for simplicity. Keypad or app-based locks let you create short-term codes for family and change them later.

7. Financial Scams

Scammers often target seniors living alone through phone calls, texts, email, and even fake “grandchild in trouble” schemes. Unfortunately, artificial intelligence has made it easier for scammers to communicate in ways that look legitimate, such as sending text messages claiming you had a fraudulent purchase from your account.

Be aware of common scams and suspicious emails, phone calls, texts, or standard mail.

Follow these tips:

• Use call blocking and silence unknown callers, sending them to voicemail.
• Look for red flags. Be suspicious of anyone asking for personal information or money, even if they claim to be from a well-known organization.
• Slow down. If a caller creates fear or urgency, hang up and call the company back using the number on your card or monthly statement.
• Use strong passwords and store them in a password manager. Turn on two-step verification for email, online banking, and shopping accounts.
• Shred any mail with personally identifiable information, including your name, date of birth, account numbers, or other sensitive data like your Social Security number.
• Contact your bank immediately and put a hold on your account if you think your information has been compromised. The three major credit bureaus will also allow you to freeze your credit at no cost or harm to your credit report, preventing fraud from taking place through your credit history.

Taking Proactive Steps for a Safe, Independent Life

Recognizing potential safety risks and taking preventive measures can alleviate worries and empower older adults to live well in the home they love.

Kendal at Home combines the security of lifetime care coverage with the personalized support of a dedicated care coordinator—a partner who knows you before you ever need extra help. Coordinators provide functional, nutritional, and fall-prevention assessments, connect you to vetted home services, line up assistance after a hospital stay, and keep your loved ones informed.

With our support, 98% of members remain in their homes.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you implement personalized, proactive plans for healthy aging plans and home safety.