Security Devices that Keep Seniors Safe at Home

Measures You can Take to Increase Home Security

Do you have a senior living at home with you and your family?

Are you a senior living alone or a senior couple?

Seniors face unique home safety risks above and beyond the typical security concerns:

• Trips and falls
• Medical emergencies
• Vulnerability to intruders
• Hearing impairment

No, not all seniors run all of these risks, but as we age we fall prey to outside forces we may not be aware of.

Home Safety Tips for Seniors

Here are a few tips for keeping yourself or a senior family member safer while in and around home.

Trips and falling hazards - Take a good look around your home:

• Where are walkways partially blocked, carpets and flooring materials loose or missing? Make sure to secure any loose flooring and free up cluttered home areas where foot traffic is most common.
• Are there slick and slippery walking surfaces in the bathroom, such as the bathtub? Install rubber mats and a hand-rail.

Anti-Intrusion Devices

• Install a home security system that includes door and window sensors, interior motion detectors and visible exterior security system signs that deter potential intruders.
• Expand basic burglar alarm systems to include exterior motion-activated flood-lights.
• For extra door and entry-way security consider adding a video or two-way audio intercom or door phone. Don’t open the door until you’re sure who is there and you feel safe.

Home Hazard Alarms for Seniors

• Install fire alarms and smoke detectors on all levels of your home and right outside bedroom doors.
• If you are hearing impaired invest in devices with strobe lights and bed and pillow vibrators.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors.
• If possible connect these alarm devices to your centrally monitored home alarm system. In the event of a fire your security company can have fire and other authorities on the way immediately.

Medical Emergencies and Security Systems

In recent years there has been a big growth in the use of medical alert monitoring services in the home, both as part of a home security system or as a standalone monitoring service. Medical alerts combine two components, a base monitoring station that transmits to a central monitoring center and a wireless wearable device—usually a button-activated pendant, wristwatch or clip on device that lets you quickly send a distress signal to your monitoring company in the event of a sudden medical emergency.

Understand the unique home safety and security risks that face seniors and what simple steps you can take to safeguard against them.