A complete guide to home security for the elderly

Installing a security system

Ensuring that a home is secure and protected is especially important when the resident is elderly, as this age group can be targeted by criminals. To greatly reduce this risk, put your mind at ease by helping them install a home security system for enhanced safety at all times. With SimpliSafe, as it’s completely customisable, you’ll be able to build a device that’s best suited to your loved one’s home, making certain that all areas and rooms are covered. 

Security cameras

Security cameras are another way to optimise safety for the elderly; not only will they act as a crime deterrent, they’ll be able to uncover any suspicious behaviour that the human eye won’t be able to see. An indoor security camera can be placed in multiple locations around the house, keeping track of any valuable items or potentially dangerous activity with 120 degree vision and 24/7 recording if on a plan. These security devices are equipped with sensors that - when coupled with a professionally monitored system - will send an alert when triggered to the professional monitoring centre to determine who can dispatch police upon a visually verified incident. With this, you can be assured that your loved one will get the help they need, even when you can’t be there. 

For an extra layer of security, you could also equip their home with an outdoor security camera. This will keep track of any comings and goings throughout the day and night, alongside an added degree of garden security. It’s likely that a garden may be home to a variety of valuables, so make sure that all appliances that could potentially lure someone in are hidden and locked away in a shed after use. 

Protecting entrances to a home

Alongside positioning a security camera in a way that will cover all key areas on your property, an elderly person’s front door could also be equipped with a peep hole so that they can get a glimpse of visitors before they open it. All possible entrances to their home, whether these be through windows or doors, should be checked to prevent any unwanted access, making sure they’re locked at all times. 

Sensors

You can personalise a SimpliSafe system to best suit an elderly person’s needs, equipping their home with an Entry Sensor or Glassbreak Sensor if needed; this will further protect any doors and windows that could be broken into. For rooms that have three or more windows, we advise you to use a Motion Sensor so that the entire area is covered. 

The elderly may not be able to get to safety quickly during an emergency, so a Panic Button can be used to immediately alert our monitoring centre. Ensure that this is kept in a place that’s easy to access, in a master bedroom for example, for guaranteed protection. There’s also a panic button on the Keypad and Key Fob.

Smart home

Turning a home into a smart home is another way to both improve security and accessibility. The use of automatic lighting not only improves an elderly person’s vision on the walk up to their house, it also acts as a deterrent as a result of the increased visibility. 

Help from carers

If your elderly neighbours, friends or relatives rely on the help of a carer, it would be worthwhile to create a custom PIN that they can use for the home security system. With the option to save four custom PINs, you’ll be able to select multiple people who can be granted access so you know who’s coming and going. 

For more advice on improving home security, whether this be specially tailored to protect the elderly or for keeping your own family safe and sound, our team of experts are on hand to help. Get in touch with us today to find out how we can provide an added degree of extra protection for constant peace of mind.