Many elderly adults are living alone for the first time. Their partner might have died recently, they are no longer raising children, and may for the first time be in their home by themselves. Even if they are not alone for the first time, new challenges, limitations, and needs can make it more difficult for them to feel secure and confident living on their own. They may be nervous when they are by themselves, or you may worry that they are not safe because of issues such as wandering tendencies.
Taking steps to keep their home more secure is an important step in keeping your parent safer, and working to improve their quality of life as they age.
Use these tips to keep your senior’s home more secure:
- Install a security camera at each door to the home. Having two-way audio, particularly at the front door, allows your parent or a home care services provider to communicate with whoever is at the door without having to approach the door.
- Ensure the entire area surrounding the home is well-lit to make approaching it without consent more difficult.
- Remove places near windows that provide hiding areas, such as bushes that are not up against the home.
- Ensure there is a screen on the outside of windows to provide another layer of separation.
- Consider adding a small dowel into the track of windows to further prevent opening.
- Add a larger dowel to the track of a sliding glass door to further prevent opening.
- If an elderly adult has wandering tendencies, consider adding extra locking mechanisms that go beyond those they are accustomed to. For example, your senior might remember how to use the regular deadbolt and use it to let themselves out of the house. Adding a lock toward the top of the door, or a floor lock, however, will likely stop them.
Helping your aging parent feel safer and more secure and their home is a valuable benefit of home care. Many elderly adults struggle with feelings of fear, or face challenges and dangers when they are alone. A home care services provider can help them at to make good choices, and follow through with safety and security measures that allow them to remain in their own home, and stay safe.
This can include reminding them to lock windows and doors, answering the phone and door for them as needed, and simply being there to provide supervision for elderly adults who may struggle with issues such as wandering tendencies. As a family caregiver, it can give you a tremendous sense of peace of mind knowing that your parent has this care with them so they can enjoy aging-in-place, but still stay safe and secure.
If you or a loved one are considering Home Care Services in Mt. Lebanon PA, please call and talk to the caring staff at Extended Family Care of Pittsburgh at (412) 693-6009. We will answer all of your questions.
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