Can My Parent Live Alone Safely? Quiz

Most older people want to stay in their own home for as long as they can, and many do so safely for years. But when a parent lives alone, small changes are easy to miss from a distance: a fall they did not mention, a few skipped meals, bills starting to pile up. This free quiz walks you through the ten areas that matter most, so you can see where things stand and what to do first.

Who it is for

It is for adult children, and anyone helping to look after an older relative, who are wondering whether living alone is still the right choice. It works whether you live around the corner or in another country. If you can, answer it with your parent on your next visit or call. The questions are plain and respectful, and the aim is to start a good conversation, not to make a decision for anyone.

How to use it

1. Answer ten short questions about falls, getting around, memory, medication, meals, bills, getting out, company and support.
2. Tap the answer that fits best. Each question moves on by itself, and you can go back at any time.
3. Read the result: one of three bands, from "managing well with light support" to "time for a serious conversation".
4. Go through the concerns you flagged. Each one comes with practical fixes, and health answers come with things to raise with a doctor.
5. Print the result to share with siblings or to take to an appointment.

What the result means

The quiz is a guide, not a medical, care or legal assessment, and your answers never leave your browser. If the result suggests more support, the long-distance caregiver checklist covers what to set up, and our guide to the signs of cognitive decline explains which memory changes are worth a doctor's visit. When you are ready to talk, read how to talk to aging parents about safety without it turning into an argument.

If nobody hears from your parent every day, a daily check-in is one of the simplest things to add. See how TapOkay works for families, or check the basics of their home with the living alone safety score.