For some people, including seniors and also certain other groups who may be in this situation, the prospect of living at home alone can be a stressful or anxiety-inducing one. From fears of accidents or intrusions to the possibility of loneliness, there are few understandable reasons why some in this position are anxious about such a move.

At Stay Safe Alert, we're proud to provide quality medical alert systems for a variety of needs, including those who live at home and may worry about what happens if they fall or experience any kind of other accident or in-home need while alone. With one of our systems in place, you or a loved one will never have to worry about not being able to receive care if something happens, a major weight off the minds of many people who live alone. Here are some important ways that those in this situation, or their caregivers, can go about easing anxiety and stress that may be felt.

Medical Alert System

We'll start with the area where our expertise lies, which is also one of the most important resources for many seniors and others who live on their own: A quality medical alert system set up in the home. This system will always remain a safety net, no matter how things may change around the house.

It's also a great way to give yourself peace of mind, knowing that you have this kind of protection in place and can always rely on it as needed. Simply having such a system in place serves as a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. Many such systems allow the resident to get in touch with operators easily, often with voice only, and will only call for help in the case of an emergency. This is also another reason why such systems offer great peace of mind.

Establish Strong Home Safety

Another important factor in easing anxiety about living alone: Improving the safety of the home in question. In many cases, fears or anxiety about falls or other accidents stem from unsafe or even outright dangerous conditions in the home. Making sure that there's no clutter or other risks can make a big difference, since this is something you have the control over and don't need to rely on others to handle.

In cases where it may not be possible for someone to clean up their living spaces, which is more typical with seniors, having professionals come in to handle a massive cleanup can be a good idea. This will not only reduce the dangers of falling or having any other kind of accident, but will help to assure parents and caregivers that their loved one is living in a safer home space.

There are many other themes that can be considered here, including burglar-proofing techniques like alarm systems and locks. For many seniors or others living on their own, establishing a nightly "lock-up" routine can also be of big importance, especially if they're nervous about home invasions or want to give themselves peace of mind.

A Check-In Routine

Another common fear of people who live alone is simply being forgotten, whether during a period of need or simply in a general sense. One great way of soothing this fear: Establishing a weekly or nightly check-in routine with a friend, family member, or other loved one.

This can be done either in person or over the phone, whatever works best for everyone involved. It's even better if this means seeing others face-to-face on a regular basis instead of just talking to them on the phone.

Not only will this improve daily happiness among all parties, it will make it easier for family or friends to recognize if something is going wrong with the person in question -- if this person fails to check in at their normal time, for instance, something might be wrong, and a friend or family member can make a visit to make sure everything is all right.

Even if this isn't possible (it can be difficult to get away), having a regular check-in routine like this will almost always reduce anxiety and stress, making it easier for everyone involved.

Consider a Pet

For those who don't already have a pet, such as a cat or dog, this may be an excellent way of managing certain feelings of loneliness or fear about living in a home alone. Pets don't just improve happiness and provide regular companionship, they can also give some people that extra layer of security or peace of mind, especially if the pet is clearly affixed to its human partner.

There's a reason why pets are so common in nursing homes and assisted living facilities: They provide real benefits that can't be replicated with any other kind of support system. They're there to welcome you when you get home and also to provide the kind of companionship that friends and family just can't always give. The same can be said for pets living in a home with someone who has anxiety or fears about living alone.

General Routine

Finally, many who live alone find that they can improve their general purpose and feelings of happiness by establishing simple routines. Whether it means taking care of your pet, cooking dinner every night or every other night, checking the mail at a certain time, or anything else that can be considered "routine", living alone is much easier when you have certain tasks to do during set times throughout the day.

For those who may feel as if they're constantly on the go, from either work or another activity, setting up a routine like this can make it easier to cope with the demands of doing everything on your own. Whether that means cooking certain foods during certain hours or keeping a clean space at all times, a simple routine goes a long way over time.

For more on how to ease anxiety about living alone through both medical alert systems and several other methods, or to learn about any of our alert bracelets, necklaces or other systems, speak to the team at Stay Safe Alert today.