AARP Hearing Center
Good or bad, by choice or not, more of us are living alone — some 27 percent of Americans 60 and older, according to the Pew Research Center.
And being on your own inevitably means being more self-reliant. Sure, you might not be Tom Hanks in Cast Away, having to perform your own dental surgery and relying on a volleyball for companionship. But you may find yourself facing some real catastrophe at home, without the immediate backup of a family member or roommate to help take control of the situation. We’ve identified some of the most familiar dangers facing people our age, and consulted with health and safety professionals, who gave us the inside scoop on how to handle these crises when there’s no one nearby to help.
You’re having chest pains
Discomfort that lasts more than a few minutes or goes and comes back again, especially with activity, may signal a heart attack, says David B. Min, M.D., chief of cardiovascular medicine at Dartmouth Health. “This can feel like a dull ache, uncomfortable pressure, chest fullness or a squeezing sensation,” he explains. Jaw pain; shoulder, back or neck discomfort; nausea; and lightheadedness are also signs.
Call 911. “Don’t attempt to drive to the hospital, and don’t have someone else drive you,” says Douglas J. Hart, M.D., director of echocardiography at White Plains Hospital. After getting through to 911, describe your symptoms. “Chest pains” will get an ambulance racing to you immediately. Then you can dial a family member or friend to alert them to the situation.
Pop an aspirin. To get it into your bloodstream faster, chew or place under your tongue one 325-milligram aspirin or four 81-milligram baby aspirins. Aspirin (but no other painkillers) can help reduce clotting. (If you have been advised not to take aspirin or have had bad reactions to it, ask the EMTs before taking.)
Pull together your meds. It’s important not to exert yourself, but if you have your list of meds and your ID and insurance card nearby, grab them.
Unlock your front door. If you can get to it, Hart suggests unlocking and opening your front door to ease the way for paramedics to enter.
Sit down, preferably in a comfortable chair near the entrance of your home. Take slow, deep, calming breaths. The more you can control your natural instinct to panic, the better.
There’s a burglar in your house
It’s rare for a criminal to enter a private home knowing someone is there, says Rebecca Edwards of SafeWise, an organization that helps people understand personal safety. “Burglars generally want to get in and out.” But if you’re at home:
Avoid confrontation. If you have a weapon or self-defense item like a bat or pepper spray, arm yourself, but don’t go looking for the intruder. That only puts you at greater risk of harm.
Treat it like a fire. If you’ve developed a plan to escape your home in case of a fire, use that plan now.
If you can’t get out, hide. “Don’t go exploring the house or wandering around,” Edwards says. “Hide in a safe place with a door that can be locked and, if possible, barricaded.”
Call for help. If you can do so quietly, call 911. Say your name and address, and that there’s someone in your home.
Stay put until help arrives. Once you’re in a safe space, don’t move from that spot even if you think the burglar may have left your home. Wait until police arrive and confirm that all is clear.
You think you have COVID
Get tested. If you're coughing and hot to the touch, ou can take an at-home test, but these tests can have a high false-negative rate, says Linda Yancey, M.D., an infectious disease specialist at Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston. Your doctor can order a PCR test, which gives a more accurate result; some drugstores offer drive-through testing.
Know the signs. Common indicators of COVID include fever and nasal congestion, as well as loss of taste or smell and shortness of breath.
Notify a friend or family member that you’re sick, and have them check on you daily. You’ll need to stay at home for five days or until your symptoms get better, so ask someone to drop off supplies or have a store deliver whatever you need.
Call your doctor and ask about prescription COVID treatments they can call in to your local pharmacy.
Deploy home remedies. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen, as well as cough drops and over-the-counter cough syrups, can help. Check with your physician about interactions with prescription meds you’re taking.
Try a saltwater gargle to calm a sore throat, “or just eat a large pickle,” says Yancey. “The salt will draw fluid out of the tissue and reduce inflammation.” If you experience confusion or difficulty breathing or have trouble staying awake, call 911.
You’ve fallen and really, truly can’t get up
One in 4 older adults take a tumble each year. If you fall and you’re experiencing symptoms of a stroke (see “Is It a Stroke?,” below), get to the phone any way you can — whether by walking, rolling or crawling —and dial 911, says Sam Torbati, M.D., medical director of Emergency Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
If you’re not experiencing stroke symptoms, take a minute to regain your composure. Don’t try to stand up unless you’re absolutely certain you can do so safely, and take it slowly as you do. If you’re having trouble standing, try this:
Roll onto your side, push up to a side sitting position, and get on your hands and knees.
Crawl toward a piece of sturdy furniture. Once there, turn your body so that your stronger leg is next to the furniture.
Place your hands on the furniture for support; if you can, bend the knee closest to the furniture and plant that foot on the floor. Then push yourself up.
Be prepared. Keep your cellphone handy. Several companies make shoulder holsters for cell-phones so you can quickly access yours in case of an emergency.
You Might Also Like
How to Beat the Winter Blues
From the thing you should do each day to which vitamins to take, we have tips that may help conquer seasonal depression
Create a Home Gym
From what flooring is best to which equipment to buy and how to optimize your space, we have tips to exercise at home
Top Tips for Finding Happiness
What foods to eat, embracing bright colors and more, our gladness gurus have strategies that may boost your mood
More Members Only Access
Recommended for You