Seniors have special needs when it comes to home security, particularly if they live alone and do not have family nearby to check in on them regularly. Even if family members do live in the neighborhood, elderly people are still at risk for accidents and criminal acts simply because of their age. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to help the seniors in your life live more safely and securely.
First, you need to identify the areas of concern. The bathroom and the kitchen are the two most dangerous rooms in the house. Elderly people are susceptible to falling and the bathroom is where most falls occur because of slippery floors. In the kitchen, there are risks of fire, cuts, and burns, all of which could be life-threatening to seniors living alone.
To make the bathroom safer for seniors, install handrails near the toilet and in the shower or tub. This will allow them to stabilize themselves whenever they get in and out of the tub or sit on or stand up from the toilet. Place anti-slip bathmats on the floor to lower the risk of slipping on a wet floor. In addition, home security systems have panic buttons that can be worn around seniors’ necks that can be activated as soon as a fall occurs. These buttons will notify the alarm company to dispatch emergency services, minimizing the time between the accident and when help arrives.
The kitchen can be made safer for seniors by ensuring that smoke and fire alarms are installed properly and that the batteries are tested and changed on a regular basis. Moreover, fire extinguishers should be close at hand and timers should be loud enough for people who are hard of hearing to hear. Be sure the seniors in your life are skilled in kitchen safety techniques, the use of knives, and in first aid in case of cuts or burns.
Seniors are particularly susceptible to break-ins because criminals are looking for people who are less likely to fight back to take advantage of. This is where home security systems come into play. Have a system installed that monitors the property 24 hours a day and allows the senior to contact the monitoring center with the touch of a button that is accessible no matter where he or she is in the house. Again, the best way to do this is to wear the button around the neck.
Seniors want to keep their independence for as long as possible. To enable them to do this, install an alarm system, make their bathrooms more user friendly, and teach them about safety in the kitchen. Not only will you feel better about them living alone, but they will feel more confident about their living situation, resulting in a safer and more secure environment.