Home is typically the most comfortable place a person can be. And as we get older, that sense of comfort and familiarity can become increasingly important. Because of this, it is not unusual for people to want to stay in their homes as long as possible as they age.
If your parents are in this situation, but you are worried about their safety due to physical limitations or health concerns, know that there are some systems available that can keep them safe and give you peace of mind. Four systems that can be especially important for seniors to have in their homes include:
- Medical alert systems – Especially if your parent lives alone, having medical alert systems can be crucial. There are wearable options, mobile options and in-home systems that ensure a person can easily connect to medical services in the event of an emergency. Finding the right system depends on various elements like your parent’s lifestyle, familiarity with technology and medical needs.
- Home security systems – Every person wants to feel safe in their home. As such, home security systems can be crucial. There are traditional home security systems with subscription fees and personalized monitoring; there are also single devices that can monitor and record activity in specific areas of the home.
- Fall prevention systems – Falling is one of the most common risks people face as they get older. To prevent falling, you may want to install handrails, ramps and other systems for assisting people as they get up or down in their homes.
- Communication systems – Being able to see and talk to your parent can make both of you feel better about him or her staying in their home. Numerous devices are on the market that make it easy for parties to video chat and check in on each other. If your parent is less tech-savvy, make sure he or she has a landline with a list of emergency contacts nearby. He or she should also have a cellphone with basic features like urgent response buttons and one-touch dialing.
These systems can keep older people safe in their homes and give loved ones some much-needed reassurance that their parents can get help if necessary.