Essential Safety Tips for Seniors Living Alone

By following senior safety tips, older adults can live alone with peace of mind without worrying about an emergency happening at home.

One of the leading causes of injury among seniors is falling. In fact, the risk increases for older people. For example, seniors over 85 fall at a rate 9 times higher than those between 64 and 72. When living alone, hazards that wouldn’t usually be considered as such can easily be overlooked.

Some examples are poor lighting, unsafe stairs, slippery floors, and loose rugs. Furthermore, there are specific areas of a house where you’re more likely to fall, so it’s critical to be proactive in danger-proofing your home.

Medical alert systems are one of the best ways to reduce the risk of life-altering consequences after falling. These solutions usually offer systems for at-home and outdoor-loving seniors, including portable and personal safety devices for convenience.

They typically come in the form of pendants and wristbands with GPS technology and buttons to call for help. By wearing them, seniors can quickly push the button and talk with a trained emergency dispatcher who’ll evaluate the situation and request emergency services if needed.

For added safety, medical alert systems started offering fall detection technology in smartwatches, pendants, and wristbands. This technology usually eliminates the need to speak with an operator, automatically dispatching emergency services when a fall is detected. One of the best medical alert systems for seniors is Lifeline, which offers multiple medical alert products, including a sleek smartwatch with fall detection, GPS, and even a mobile app.

Another way to avoid potential health concerns when living alone is to have a well-prepared emergency plan. Having a response plan can significantly increase emergency preparedness for seniors, reducing the long-term effects of such situations. This plan should include:

• List of emergency contacts: Create a file with contacts for family members, caregivers, and/or healthcare providers, and don’t forget to update it whenever needed.
• Week-long supply of medications: Store a spare supply of crucial medicine, including inhalers and prescriptions, in an easily accessible, cool, and dry place.
• List of important documents: Create a folder case with important documents, such as: ID, medical records, list of allergies, and insurance details.
• Check-in plan: Develop a system with family members, caregivers, or friends for periodic check-ins.
• Supply of food and water: Ensure you have enough non-perishable food and water in a convenient location for up to 72 hours.
• Accessories: Guarantee easy access to cables, batteries, flashlights, and power banks for emergencies like power outages.
• Readily accessible hygiene and first aid supplies: Keep first aid essentials and hygiene products within easy reach to maintain cleanliness and address minor injuries in emergencies.
• Medical alert system: Subscribe to a medical alert system to get instant help in times of need. You can call for help with a simple press of a button, which is included in personal safety devices for the elderly in the form of pendants, wristbands, and watches.

Older adults living alone are more likely to be victims of burglary, fraud, and scams than any other demographic. This stems primarily from criminals perceiving older people to be vulnerable, isolated, and naive.

To steer clear of such scenarios, it’s fundamental to adopt specific home safety measures, such as using peepholes, ensuring doors and windows are locked, and installing motion-sensor lighting.

Fortunately, home security systems have come a long way in recent years. They now offer a range of affordable options for every budget. They are highly effective in deterring criminals and include security equipment like surveillance cameras, alarm systems, smart sensors, and smart locks.

Alternatively, medical alert systems like Lifeline can also be helpful in situations like break-ins. The personal safety devices for the elderly are equipped with an SOS button that allows users to connect with a trained emergency operator quickly. The operator can then dispatch the appropriate help, whether it’s medical responders, the police, or the fire department.

While many seniors live alone, this doesn’t mean they’re stuck at home 24/7. If you’re not housebound, we highly recommend engaging in an active lifestyle. It’s crucial to tackle social isolation and the associated physical and mental health concerns that can arise from living alone.

While being active is essential to reduce stress and anxiety, venturing outdoors presents dangers that should be addressed. We recommend taking extra precautions by following senior safety tips for a positive outdoor experience:

• Plan routes ahead of time.
• Avoid unfamiliar areas.
• Carry a phone at all times.
• Wear comfortable clothing and supportive shoes.
• Stay in well-lit areas.
• Keep emergency contacts handy.
• Take regular breaks.
• Stay hydrated.
• Create a checklist of precautions when planning to hike.
• Avoid carrying large sums of money.
• Carry your ID.
• Remain aware of your surroundings.
• Use a medical alert system’s GPS-enabled device.

Living alone comes with its challenges at any age, but the potential risks increase as you get older. Adversities like fire hazards, falls, exposure to criminals, and hikes through unfamiliar areas are just a few examples in a long list.

Key safety tips, such as constructing an emergency plan, installing motion-sensor lighting, improving stair safety, ensuring accessibility, and carrying a phone whenever going outside, are essential to guaranteeing senior safety.

In addition, subscribing to a medical alert system like Lifeline adds an extra layer of security that few other recommendations can deliver. It offers advanced technology like automatic fall detection, SOS buttons as wristbands and necklaces, GPS, and 24/7 fast-response emergency service delivery. If you want to know more, don’t hesitate to read our extensive review of Lifeline.