DEAR ABBY: I am a single female in my 60s. I’m very much a loner and mostly keep to myself. While I know my lifestyle may be unconventional, it is the one I choose. My concern is the possibility of dying alone in my house. I have serious health issues and don’t expect to live a long life. I sometimes go weeks without contact with another human being, and if I should meet my demise, there’s a very real possibility that it could go completely unnoticed for quite some time. I am not asking that you offer advice to fix my solitary life because, frankly, I accept it. What I would like to know is if there is a way — a service or device or something — that would alert someone in the likely event that I am alone when I meet my end. — FLYING SOLO IN TEXAS DEAR SOLO: Great question. If you have a newspaper delivered, your carrier would notice if they were starting to pile up on your doorstep. The same would apply if your mail carrier noticed your mail starting to accumulate. There are also apps and services that will check in daily with you to be sure you are OK. One I have heard about is the Telephone Reassurance program. It is often a free service provided by a county’s department of aging and disabilities. Volunteers place daily phone calls to older or disabled adults to help them remain independent in their homes for as long as possible. If this isn’t available in your area, check with your local senior center, AARP or department of senior services for recommendations.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, California 90069. Copyright 2024, Andrews, McMeel Syndication.