Sometimes, seniors just need a little extra help around the house. When younger generations take care of older family members, safety becomes an important issue because the elderly are more susceptible to falls. Older people, especially those with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, may wander away from the house unexpectedly.
It is important to know how to keep a senior safe at home. As such, you can take certain steps to ensure the highest level of safety. These tips offer practical advice for keeping your aging loved ones safe while providing peace of mind for your family, knowing that your elderly relatives stay secure in your home.
Electronic Door Locks
Electronic door locks provide a way for seniors to stay inside, even when you’re not at home. This is especially important for people prone to wandering away. Electronic door locks have a keyed entry or a touchpad code, another feature that makes electronic door locks an essential part of your loved one’s safety.
Beneficial Door Lock Features To Shop For
When searching the market for door locks, there are certain factors you should consider to prevent your aging loved one from wandering off. Here's a quick overview of some of the key features you should look for when shopping for door locks:
- The ability to lock or unlock from anywhere using your smartphone.
- It can be used by multiple individuals, each with its own unique access code.
- Both the interior and exterior of the door are secured with two-way security.
- Depending on the kind of lock and model, an automatic locking mechanism can be activated immediately when the door latches or after a short amount of time. This helps lessen the risk of anyone forgetting to lock the door on their way in or out.
The likelihood of wandering rises as an individual's dementia progresses. One of the simplest ways to prevent an elderly loved one from going outdoors or wandering away from home is to install a dementia-specific door lock.
Remote Access
Electronic door locks have the ability for remote access. That means you can unlock or lock doors through a wireless connection in your home. You can lock or unlock the door through your smartphone. Features like this are incredibly beneficial for seniors who may accidentally lock themselves in or out or if your aged loved one has a caregiver who needs to be let into the home in your absence. This is also helpful in an emergency situation if first responders must get into the house to check on your beloved senior family member.
Electronic door locks can also connect to a whole-home security system for additional protection. Family members or caregivers are able to check in on a senior's well-being from anywhere with the use of remote monitoring systems and home security cameras. Round-the-clock peace of mind can be achieved by these systems, which allow real-time access to video feeds and warnings for unusual activity or disturbances.
Invest In A Security System
A higher-cost solution includes a whole-home security system with a control panel located at a centralized place in your home. This security system monitors windows, your garage, and any doorway you want. Some systems have alarms that go off when windows open, while others beep when someone enters a particular door. Adding sensors and security alarms can add another layer of security, making sure an elderly person suffering from Alzheimer's stays safe if they are tempted to wander.
Motion Sensors and Cameras
Whole-home security systems also entail motion sensors to detect people walking around outside, and you can install video cameras to monitor what goes on inside and outside your house. Again, you can handle these security functions remotely through your smartphone if you need to in a pinch. Use your whole-home security system in conjunction with electronic door locks and window locks for the best possible lock system.
Installing A Safety System
An in-home safety system is different from a security system. A safety system combines sensors and wireless devices to monitor the daily habits of your elderly loved one. After a two-week time frame, the system learns your senior’s daily routine. This routine includes bedtime, waking time, meals, medications and daily walks.
Get Notifications
The system instantly notifies you if anything is out of place. Friends, family, caregivers and even emergency personnel receive a notification if there is any disruption to your loved one’s normal routine. This kind of technology brings your family peace of mind while maintaining the independence of your senior relative.
For When You’re Not at Home
Safety for when you’re not at home, but your loved one stays at home is an important consideration. That way, everyone can have a little freedom and peace of mind. One way seniors can significantly enhance their security is with video doorbells equipped with integrated cameras and two-way audio. Seniors can view and interact with guests using these technologies without ever having to open the door. In addition, family members can monitor who is at the door remotely to identify any possible threats to the safety of their loved one.
Add Lighting
Confusion is one of the effects of Alzheimer's, particularly at night. Motion-activated lighting, which automatically illuminates common spaces, stairwells, and hallways when movement is detected, can significantly reduce the risk of falls and accidents. This helps elderly individuals live and move safely in their homes.
Furthermore, installing extra lighting outdoors to scare away any would-be burglars is another beneficial step to take for your senior loved ones. The additional lights also make it brighter for when your senior decides to take out the trash or go for an evening stroll.
Keys
Keep extra keys locked up in a safe location. This is where electronic locks come into play. Keep car keys, safe keys, duplicate keys and keys to your storage unit locked away in a specialized locker that has a key entry itself.
Securely Store Valuables
Store valuables in a place that’s not your home. Consider renting a storage unit to put your loved one’s cherished belongings. If you need a climate-controlled space, rent an indoor storage unit instead of one that opens to the outside world. If your baby boomer has collected a lot of belongings over the years, the safest place for valuables is in a secure location away from your home.
A Flexible Schedule
A flexible schedule deters possible burglars because these criminals can’t determine your senior’s regular routine. Try to vary the schedule a bit every week to keep any onlookers guessing. One week, your loved one may meet friends for breakfast on Thursday at 7 a.m., but the next week, that meeting could change to 6:30 a.m. on Monday. As long as the schedule changes do not interfere with or irritate your loved one, a flexible schedule is a great way to ensure they are less likely to be the victim of a home invasion.
Security Evaluation
Before you make any sudden changes to your home’s security protocol, have a professional examine your home for a security evaluation. This will help shed light on any areas lacking in safety and security for your elderly family member. When hiring a professional to assess your home’s security needs, be sure to hire someone with industry knowledge and skill so that they can offer you the best tailored solutions for the safety and security of your loved one.
From Locks to Access
A professional locksmith goes over the types of locks in your home, makes any extra keys you need and develops an access control plan that fits your needs.
Every home and every family has a unique situation. We are here to help you determine the best way to secure your home with your elderly loved one. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and that’s certainly true of the safety and security of your home.
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