Checklist for elderly home alone

Here are some things to consider doing. Some items may not be applicable to you.

ElderCarelink.com has developed a 10-point checklist for caregivers before leaving an elderly person alone in their home:

Do they know where the door is located and can they leave the house in a safe manner?
If they go outside, do they recognize where they live and understand how to get back inside their house?
Do they know how to access emergency services? Do they know how and when to dial 911? Are they able to communicate problems over the phone?
If they leave the house, will they remain close or wander off?
Can they get to the restroom by themselves and use it on their own? If not, have alternatives been discussed?
Are they frightened to be left home alone?
Can they prepare a meal for themselves? Do they know how to use the stove and remember to turn it off?
Do they understand how to recognize a stranger and have the judgment to identify who they should allow into the home?
Can they identify danger warnings in the house, such as fire alarms or smoke?
Do they know where there medication is located? Do they have the cognitive capacity to take the proper medicine in the correct dosages?

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