One reason you might worry about your senior aging in place could be a concern for her overall safety and security at home. There are some big and small changes you can make that can help to reassure both you and her that she’s as safe as possible in her home.

Dealing with Fire Concerns

One of the biggest security worries your senior might have beyond just door locks might be fire safety. Lots of companies make both easier to manage than they have been in the past. Smoke and fire detection can be part of an entire interior and exterior security system if your senior is looking for something along those lines. Even if she’s not looking for something comprehensive, it’s important to have working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers that are easy to use.

Light up the Outside

Exterior lighting makes a huge difference, too. Motion-activated lights are really important because they function without your elderly family member having to remember to turn them on. They can also be positioned to make sure that she can see what’s going on in her entire yard. If the bulbs are older halogen lights, it’s a good idea to swap them out for LED bulbs. They’re brighter and they last a lot longer, too.

Make it Easy to See Who’s at the Door

When it’s really easy for your elderly family member to see who’s at the door, she’s a lot safer. Making sure that she can safely look through a peephole is one solution, but there are more modern solutions, too. Video doorbells that allow her to see and talk to whoever is at the door no matter where she is could be exactly the answer you’ve been looking for. These doorbells are easy to install and usually don’t require any special experience to master.

Helping Her Avoid Being Alone

Loneliness can be a much bigger security issue than you realize. Making sure that your senior has the help and the companionship that she needs can be a great way for you to spot issues that need correcting. Home care providers can let you know what they’re seeing and whether your elderly family member might be having bigger issues than you expected.

There may be other security issues that fit your senior’s individual needs as well. Do what you can to assess those security needs and correct whatever you can.

If you are considering home care in Paw Paw, MI, for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at Fresh Perspective Home Care at (269) 329-4717. We are here to help!

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Shelly Nutter

Area Vice President at Fresh Perspective Home Care

Shelly Nutter has been a driving force in the Fresh Perspective Home Care team since 2008 and is currently the Area Vice President. She began caring for others at a young age and has never looked back. Her strong faith and family values drives her passion for helping others. Shelly says she never found a career that fulfilled a "bigger purpose" her previous jobs until begin her home care career with Fresh Perspective Home Care. "Here I found growth, purpose, and a career to match my personal ambition of making a difference in the lives of others." Shelly is native to the Kalamazoo/Portage, Mi area and has been married for over 25 years Together they have three children that she believes have benefited from watching Mom work hard to help others, advocate for others, and give to others. She also holds a bachelors degree in Accounting and an associates degree in Business Management.

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