Older people have special needs when it comes to home security, especially if they live alone and don’t have family members nearby to check on them regularly. Even if family members live in the neighborhood, seniors 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 older people in your life live more safely.
First of all, you must identify the areas of concern. The bathroom and the kitchen are the two most dangerous rooms in the house. Older people are susceptible to falls and the bathroom is where most falls occur due to slippery floors. In the kitchen, there are risks of fire, cuts and burns, all of which could be life-threatening for older people living alone.
To make the bathroom safer for older people, install handrails near the toilet and in the shower or bathtub. This will allow them to stabilize each time they get in and out of the tub or get on and off the toilet. Place non-slip bath mats on the floor to reduce the risk of slipping on a wet floor. Additionally, home security systems have panic buttons that can be worn around the neck of the elderly and can be activated as soon as a fall occurs. These buttons will notify the alarm company to send the emergency services, minimizing the time between the accident and the arrival of help.
The kitchen can be made safer for older people by making sure smoke and fire alarms are installed correctly and batteries are tested and changed regularly. Also, fire extinguishers should be within easy reach and timers should be loud enough for people who are hard of hearing to hear. Make sure the seniors in your life are experts in kitchen safety, knife use, and first aid for cuts and burns.
Older people are particularly susceptible to break-ins because criminals seek out people who are less likely to fight back to take advantage. This is where home security systems come into play. Have a system in place that monitors the property 24 hours a day and allows the senior to contact the monitoring center at the touch of a button that is accessible no matter where they are in the house. Again, the best way to do this is to wear the button around the neck.
Older people want to maintain 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 kitchen safety. Not only will you feel better about them living alone, but they’ll feel more secure about their living situation, resulting in a safer environment.