With the rise of the silver surfer, many older family members happily live independently without the need for much help from the rest of the family. However, the truth of the matter is that some seniors do require help from loved ones to help ensure their safety. Older people are more likely to be the target of scams or distraction burglary, and they’re at higher risk for memory loss and physical accidents. For these reasons, we’ve provided a list of tips for helping the more experienced people in your life:
1. Keep Tabs on Important Documents
Ask your family member where they keep important documents, such as passports, bank records, birth certificates, and insurance documents. Make sure these documents are kept in a safe place. If your family member uses a combination safe, ask where the key is kept or make sure you know the combination. That way, if an emergency occurs, you’ll have access to important information you may need.
2. Encourage Social Engagements
As family members get older, it’s important to ensure that they continue to engage in social activities. Encourage the older people in your life to join clubs, attend weekly gatherings with friends, or take walks with others. Participating in activities with others will help seniors keep their minds and bodies healthy.
3. Make a Bill System
We all need a system to keep our bills in order, and it’s important to check on the older people in your life to make sure they have one in place. Ask your mature family members how they keep track of their bills and what kind of system they have in place. If they need help balancing their cashflow writing a budget, or keeping their bills in one place, be ready to help out with organisation.
4. Copy Keys
You should have a copy of any keys for close family members. That way, if your family member locks themselves out of the house or needs help but can’t get to the door, you’ll have a way to get into their home without the need for a locksmith or support. Additionally, make sure your family member doesn’t leave keys in outdated and conspicuous places, such as under a mat or in a fake rock, since intruders are now savvy to these kinds of hiding places. A external keysafe can be a good choice for keys to someones house, provided that they're fitted correctly and are out of sight.
5. Help Avoid Fraud
Many con artists target senior citizens in an attempt to take advantage of those who might be polite or easily confused. If you have a family member who might fall prey to this kind of manipulation, check in with them frequently. Advise them to avoid giving out their credit card information to strangers or companies that they haven’t heard of before. With the rise of fraudulent telephone calls and phishing, educate family members about common scams such as the bank calling confirming details, a list of common scams can be found on the action fraud website.
6. Consider a Personal Emergency Pendant and Intruder Alarm
Personal emergency pendants are offered by several security system companies, specifically designed with an older person in mind, a personal emergency pendant is kept in a pocket or worn around the neck. With a large panic button in the middle of the pendant, it’s easy for a older person to call for help in case of an emergency.
Every older person is different, and of course, many do not want to feel fussed over. However, aging is a fact of life and many of us need help as we get older. Henson Security provide monitored and bells only systems which are very simple to use, many of the older generation can get easily confused and scared by alarms and technology, especially ones that make a lot of noise when they go off, we have experience in installing alarm systems for older people which are simple to use, our two-way 4 button remote control makes setting and unsetting the alarm as simple as locking or unlocking your car (which we can all do!)
Don’t forget to check up on the older generation in your family to make sure they’re getting by all right. If you have additional suggestions for helping the older people in your life, please share in the comments!
(Photo courtesy of our MD's lovely Grandmother at the seaside!)
