Senior Home Security Tips

Senior HousingSenior Independent Living

An All Too Common Crime

Crime has inarguably evolved over the last few decades. Today’s wrongdoers have largely turned to hacking, scams, or fraud to get the money and/or personal information they want – often through digital means. Fortunately, public awareness and education on cybercrime and scams has grown substantially, allowing us to become smarter, safer, and more secure consumers. But for every sophisticated criminal there’s one who chooses to go the old school route: home burglary.

Despite popular belief, most home burglaries take place between 10am and 3pm – not at night.

It may not receive the same news coverage as cybercrime, but burglary is still immensely prevalent in Canada, with 1 out of 28 households burglarized. So, as important as it is to watch what we click on, it’s equally vital that we secure our homes from outside threats. This is especially the case for older adults, whose homes are often prime targets for burglars. Although seniors can be more vulnerable to this victimization because of certain factors – declining physical/cognitive function and limited communication being the primary ones – they can take steps to protect what’s most important to them and continue living safely and independently.

Here are some of the recommended home security tips that senior clients can follow to safeguard not only their home, but also their own personal well-being.

 

Home Security Tips

  • Install a home security system: Studies show that burglars tend to stay away from homes that have a security system installed. These days, there are plenty of providers to choose from, so be sure to research thoroughly. Most providers will give stickers to put on the home’s doors and windows from the security company, alerting thieves that a system is installed.
  • Keep the doors locked: It’s normal to let our guard down, especially when living in a safe neighborhood – but seniors should remember that crime knows no bounds. All doors that lead outside should be locked at all times day and night.
  • Shut the blinds whenever possible: Many burglars will look through windows of homes they’re interested in robbing. Cutting off their visibility into the home can discourage them from proceeding.
  • Remove tools from the yard: Be sure that any tools (hammers, screwdrivers, ladders) that can aid burglars in getting into the house are kept inside and out of view.
  • Don’t advertise travel plans: Seniors should do their best to keep any travel plans, whether short-term or extended, to themselves or just a few trusted people (e.g., neighbors and family). Talking about travel publicly or posting about it on social media should be avoided.
  • Keep personal information in a safe place: In the event that a home is broken into, the last thing you want is for the burglar to get ahold of personal information. Keep any passports, birth certificates, financial statements, and other sensitive documents in a locked safe.
  • Request home security advice from the police: Seniors can also contact their local police department and have them come out to the home to provide home security suggestions and information on crime in the neighborhood.

 

Comfort Keepers® Can Help
At Comfort Keepers®, we understand just how important home is. After all, it’s more than just a place in which we live, it’s a safe haven and an extension of ourselves. Our caregivers can help senior clients maintain peace and happiness in the home by encouraging them to follow the above tips and other security precautions. Additionally, we can provide everything from meal preparation, mobility assistance, and transportation to and from locations in and around town.

For more information about Comfort Keepers’ wide array of in-home care services, call the Comfort Keepers location nearest you.

 

 

References:

Securehouse.ca.  “Canadian Crime Rates.” Web, 2018.

The Senior List. “Home Security and Safety Tips for Seniors” by Damian Wolf. Web. 2014.

Safewise. “10 Surprising Home Burglary Stats and Facts” by Alexia Chianis. Web. 2018.

Travelers. “9 Home Security Tips.” Web. 2018.

Nationwide. “Helpful Tips On How to Your Home From Burglary.” Web. 2018.

Steps Seniors Can Take to Prepare for Natural Disasters

Senior HousingSenior Independent LivingSenior Safety

In the Blink of An Eye

We often underestimate the volatility of Mother Nature, forgetting that our possessions, our homes, and even those we love can be taken away from us in the blink of an eye because of a tornado, hurricane, wildfire, flood, or any number of other natural disasters. Of course, we’ve gotten smarter and more sophisticated with the way these catastrophic events are forecasted and handled. Local officials have detailed plans for evacuations, and relief teams are at the ready to help however possible. Experience also counts for a lot. Think of how many disasters you’ve witnessed up to this point, and how the learnings from those experiences will aid you and others in any future events. Seniors, in particular, have a wealth of knowledge to pull from.

The Red Cross delivered more food, relief items, and shelter stays in 2017 than in the last four years combined.

Despite this knowledge and expertise, seniors are often those most vulnerable during natural disasters because of chronic health conditions or diminished hearing and vision. Even those in excellent health may just not be as agile as they once were. Fortunately, age-related limitations don’t have to stop seniors from being able to handle whatever Mother Nature throws their way. Below are some helpful tips that senior clients can follow – together with family caregivers – to prepare for natural disasters.

Disaster Preparedness Tips

  1. Become and stay informed
  • Study up on which natural disasters are likely to affect your area.
  • Learn your community’s established response and evacuation plans.
  • Sign up for text or email alert notifications available in your community.
  1. Create a supply kit that includes the following:
  • Water for drinking and sanitation (1 gallon per person, per day – for at least 3 days)
  • Non-perishable food (3-day supply)
  • Medications (to last at least 7 days)
  • First aid kit and manual
  • Personal documents (ID, birth certificate, deed to home, medication list that includes dosages, etc.)
  • Manual can opener
  • Tools (screwdriver, wrench, pliers, etc.)
  • Emergency blankets
  • Personal hygiene items
  • Change of clothes
  • Cell phone and extra chargers
  • Flashlights and extra batteries
  • Battery-operated or hand crank radio
  1. Put a plan in place
  • Determine who your emergency contacts are, and ensure that they know of community plans.
  • Double check that you have a thorough list of family contacts, not only in your phone but also written down.
  • Make an assessment of your home, and determine the best escape routes, considering specific factors such as limited mobility.
  • Write down all plans so that you can reference them at any time.
  • Check out http://211.ca/ This is a nation-wide resource that connects millions of people to services for a number of situations, including emergencies and disaster situations.

Comfort Keepers® Can Help

Helping seniors and other adults feel safe and comfortable in their homes is what we prioritize at Comfort Keepers®, and part of that includes helping them feel prepared for any crises that may arise. Our caregivers can go through the above tips to ensure clients have what they need to safeguard against natural disasters. Contact your local Comfort Keepers office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.
 

 

 

 

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Healthy Aging Program. “Disaster Planning Tips for Older
Adults and their Families.” Web. 2018.

Red Cross. “Disaster Preparedness for Seniors by Seniors.” Web. 2018.

Ready.gov. “Seniors.” Web. 2018.

Keeping Seniors with Alzheimer’s Safe Room-by-Room

Alzheimer's and Dementia CareSenior CareSenior Care NewsSenior Housing

Ensuring that your senior loved one remains as self-sufficient as possible, and yet safe around the house requires a delicate balance. For those caring for a person with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, that challenge increases ten-fold. Caregivers providing care for someone with Alzheimer’s must be diligent about identifying potential dangers in the home.

Universal Home Design for Senior Independence

Senior Care NewsSenior HousingSenior Independent Living

As more and more older adults are choosing to age in place, the need for home modifications to accommodate physical changes in people is growing. Ideally, homes for aging adults would meet universal design standards, which make structures inherently accessible to older people and those with disabilities. Many homeowners, however, hesitate to upgrade existing homes because of the cost.