How old is too old for seniors to be left home alone in Georgia? Here’s what state law says
Most people have aging parents or family members in general that are close to them. While we all have to juggle the responsibilities of jobs or other aspects of life, eventually those loved ones reach a point where their health and well-being need to be monitored.
Unfortunately, this turning point often starts with an accident that indicates a decline in motor skills or cognitive ability of the person who suffered from the mishap. Many caretakers of elder family members end up overlooking obvious signs of health decline or pay less overall attention to conditional changes. This could lead to a potential felony charge of neglect against the caretaker meaning they would face 1 to 20 years of imprisonment, a fine up to $50,000, or both according to Georgia’s elder protection laws.
To prevent an accident from happening or punishment for unintentional neglect, you should take note of the age limits for elders being left home alone, signs of a decline in physical or mental health, and some options for caring for your loved ones responsibly.
How old is too old?
How old an aging person should be before supervised care starts to become an option, tends to be a common question for those with older family members, friends, neighbors etc. However, the answer ranges depending on the person.
Muscle mass tends to take a steady decline starting around age 65 for women and 70 for men, according to studies by the National institute of Aging. This means things like walking, sitting, standing, running, jumping, etc. will be hindered by the lack and regression of muscle strength with the progression of age.
However, the lack of these motor skills can start as early as 30 years old and can lead lead to falls and other accidents that could cause both temporary and recurring injuries. Still, when said physical declines become evident, they should be addressed and dealt with properly.
Indicators of decline
Aside from age related health issues and natural physical decline, a study by AARP shows that nearly a third of people aged 65 and older suffer from some kind of cognitive impairment. Those who suffer from these afflictions should not be left at home alone and potentially could require either part time or constant supervision and care.
Other mental health afflictions and general health declines include:
Cognitive Ability
Digestive Issues
Eyesight
Hearing
Balance
Memory
Mental Health issues (depression, anxiety, mood swings, etc.)
These afflictions can have enhanced effects if the person affected used or consumed alcohol, drugs, tobacco, or any other harmful substances in recent years or in the past.
Alternative care and supervision options
There are several ways to help those you care for as they get older while still maintaining your everyday lifestyle. The first option would be for you or another trusted individual to care for them personally and make sure you check that the key points of their needs will be tended to and that their days can set up so that no additional risk or stress becomes a factor.
Another option would be to have a caretaker come and assist them in-house. This way you can have a trained professional come in to care for your loved one for a select amount of hours with a fee based on the care service you pick out of locally available options.
A final option would be to choose a nursing home within reasonable distance, which provides around the clock supervision for your loved one. In the case of an emergency regarding suspected or confirmed elder abuse first call 911, but for legal assistance on a similar case contact Elder Legal Assistance Program and your local Area Agencies on Aging location for additional resources.
