Is Living Alone Dangerous? Tips for Staying Safe at Home as a Senior
Many seniors think they have seen it all, but living alone can still come with quite a few surprises later in life. Independent living for seniors isn’t just a matter of finding the right place to live–it is also about making sure that you stay safe if you live alone.
Is living alone dangerous? Here is what seniors need to know about staying safe when living alone.
Understanding the Primary Risks of Living Alone in Your Later Years
Independent senior living can be the highlight of a person’s life, but it can also come with some new risks. These are some key concerns for seniors who live alone.
Criminal Activity
People often say that crime has no address, but it is important to remember that crime can sometimes happen at your address. Although no one expects to be a victim of criminal activity, it can happen to anyone—even you.
Living alone can place you at a higher risk of facing criminal activity. Targeted attacks may count on you being alone, and that is why it is so important to always be prepared. Of course, it is important to remember that criminal actions do not need to target you to place you at a higher level of risk. Being alone can also be a risk with random crimes as well.
In the event that a random crime happens at home, it can be more dangerous if you live alone simply because there is no guarantee that someone will drop by to help. This is one of the many reasons why those who live alone should always keep in touch with others on a regular basis.
Sudden Medical Problems
Most of us do not plan for sudden medical problems, but eventually, many of us do face them—especially as we get older. If you’re experiencing medical problems or one arrives unexpectedly, living alone can increase the chance of complications. How quickly you recover is often dependent upon how quickly medical professionals can intervene.
It is very important for someone else to know if you experience a medical incident, even if it isn’t life-threatening. The need for this information only goes up as we get older and experience a higher likelihood of medical incidents.
Accidents
A sudden fall, something breaking around the home, or an unexpected hit to the head—accidents happen every day, and they often vary in severity. You may not be at an increased risk of a poor outcome if you stub your toe, but what if you were to fall or be knocked unconscious?
As is the case with medical incidents, accidents can and do require treatment in many cases. It is important to make sure that someone will notice if you experience a fall or find yourself trapped in an unpleasant circumstance.
How to Stay Safe When You Are Living Alone: Tips for Independent Seniors
Maintaining independence is a top goal for many seniors. However, the reality is that it does come with some very specific safety considerations. These are some of the ways you can increase your safety when living alone as an older woman or man!
Invest in Top-Notch Security Features
Living alone is a wonderful way to embrace independence, especially for college-aged adults and the elderly. However, when you live alone, you absolutely need to make sure that your property is secure. Adding Security features to your home can help.
Your home does not need bank vault security to keep you safe. Simple additions to your home can help to deter criminals and allow you to rest easy at night.
Common Security Features Include:
● Lighting in and around the home
● Sturdy locks or even adding additional locks
● Bars for windows and doors
● Home security systems
● Trained security animals
Shake Up Your Schedule
We often think of criminal activity as a one-off action, but that isn’t always the case. An alarming number of criminals have been known to track victims prior to carrying out crimes. In fact, they may use what they know to enter your home when you are out or to find you at a specific location. Unfortunately, having a visible schedule can increase your level of risk.
Shaking up your schedule is a great way to keep criminals on their toes. Take different patterns for your walks, and avoid coming home at the same time when it is dark out.
Be Careful Making Connections
Many modern seniors have thriving and active social lives. However, the internet has really changed how seniors connect. Like most other adults, a majority of seniors use social media and social platforms to connect with others. While this can be a beautiful thing, it can also be dangerous.
If you’re meeting friends or making romantic connections online, be sure to Exercise caution. Someone who seems too good to be true often is, and you would not want to place yourself at risk for an opportunistic criminal. Keep your home’s location private, and try not to reveal too many personal details until you have met someone in person at a safe location.
Avoid Broadcasting When You Will Be Alone
Criminals love habits, which is why it is always best to avoid letting everyone know when you are alone—or when you will be out. Avoid sharing this information with anyone who isn’t a friend or relative. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
Exercise Extra Caution Around the Home
Accidents happen, but we can sometimes avoid them. If you’re an independent senior living your best life at home, it is always important to treat yourself with a little extra love and care. Be cautious when moving heavy objects or walking down the stairs. It only takes one misstep to cause an accident.
Check-in Daily With Others
There is no doubt about it—the best thing any senior living alone can do is to check in with loved ones. Maintaining daily communication is the easiest way to make sure that someone knows if something goes wrong, whether it is a crime, accident, or medical incident. Keeping your loved ones informed can save your life and make sure that you receive medical attention in a timely fashion.
Independent seniors are living their lives, and checking in may not always seem feasible. It is true that you may not be able to make a call every day if you’ve got other plans. However, you can simplify check-ins by using a check-in service. These services just ask you to take one or two seconds to confirm your well-being, and then they distribute that information to the loved ones you have listed.
Checking in is an easy daily habit that can help you to live alone safely!
Keep Loved Ones in the Loop With CheckinBee
There is no way to protect yourself against everything in life, but a little communication can go a long way. At CheckinBee, we offer a simple check-in system that allows you to check in with loved ones with a few taps a day. We make sure that the people closest to you know if something goes wrong, whether it is an accident, a medical event, or an unexpected turn of events.
To get started, sign up for a free trial today!
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