The Australian population is ageing and more and more older people – especially women – are living alone.

In 1911, one in 25 people reached 65 years or older, but statistics show that it’s now almost one in six people with predictions that by 2021, up to 24% of those living alone will be 75 years or older and around three quarters of these will be women.

Whilst many seniors relish the peace and independence that comes with independent living, there are challenges.

Advancing age can have a significant effect on a person’s senses and can impact on their ability to see, hear, feel and smell which can be concerning when they live by themselves.   Diminished physical strength and mobility can also be concerning and you only have to look at the numbers of seniors who injure themselves because of falls, burns, failure to take the right medication etc to know there are real risks to them living alone.

Seniors living alone can also be more vulnerable to intruders.

Fortunately however, there are lots of ways that older people can make their lives safer at home and improve their security.  Technology has been a major enabler in this field but the person doesn’t need to be tech-savvy to enjoy the benefits and peace-of-mind that these smart innovations offer.

Here are three top tips for seniors living at home:

Personal emergency response system

Every older person living alone needs to have some sort of system that enables them to call emergency services at the touch of a button.  Typically, this is in the form of a pendant worn on a lanyard, as a wristband or clipped onto clothing, a remote or as a wall-mounted panic button.  When the person presses the button, they are then connected to an operator who can assess the situation and dispatch the appropriate responders immediately, be they fire or ambulance services, security personnel or medical help.

Install a monitored home alarm system

A monitored alarm system adds an extra layer of protection to your safety and security at home and gives you and your loved ones peace-of-mind that trained professionals are looking out for you.

Different security companies offer different types of monitored systems, but essentially what happens is that when your alarm is activated at any time of the day or night, a signal is sent back to the base (alarm company) which then immediately puts your nominated emergency response in place.  For example, they could contact you on the phone, send a patrol vehicle to your home or call for emergency services to respond immediately.

CCTV cameras

If you’re really concerned about the safety and security of the older person living alone, you may want to consider a home alarm system that incorporates CCTV cameras.  A surveillance camera positioned at the front entrance enables the person to identify who is at the door without having to unlock it.  This makes them less vulnerable to opportunistic intruders and scammers – and because wireless digital technology makes it possible for footage to be viewed on a monitor or smart device anywhere, it’s a great option for seniors with limited mobility.

In fact, smart home technology is increasingly being used by seniors living alone to enhance their safety and security around the home.  You may want to consider a smart phone which can be used to lock and unlock doors automatically or switch on lights, a home monitoring system designed specifically for senior citizens which alerts responders if unusual activity – or a lack of routine – is detected (for example, you can get sensors on taps or light switches, sensors which detect a person’s movement patterns, their medication usage etc) or motion-activated lighting.

It is wonderful that so many seniors are living alone and enjoying independent lifestyles, but sometimes a helping hand is needed to ensure they are safe and secure in and around their homes.

If you have any concerns about the safety and security of an elderly relative living alone, why not get in touch with Crown Security, experts in home security in Perth.  They have a well-established reputation for quality, affordable and user-friendly home alarm systems, CCTV cameras and integrated home security solutions and they can customise these to help older people maintain their independence and live alone safely and peacefully.

Find out about the Senior Safety & Security Rebate (WA).

Give our friendly team a call on 08 9400 6000 for a no-obligation chat or contact us for more information.