Thanks to breakthroughs in medicine and nutrition in recent years, we are living longer than ever before. But this increase in life expectancy also brings an increase in the number of diseases, injuries and impairments that affect older adults. With this in mind, we at the local Visiting Angels office in Salem have created this series of articles to keep our older population and their families informed and to offer some practical advice for meeting the challenges faced by seniors and those who care for them.

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Home security can be a major concern for older adults and their families. With a growing number of seniors choosing to remain at home during their golden years, they and their loved ones find themself facing worries about the potential health and safety risks of aging in place. Natural and man-made disasters, medical emergencies, and the threat of crime can all seem overwhelming, especially for families who are separated by distance.

However, home should not be a scary place, and many seniors are turning to a variety of products and services, most based on the latest technological innovations, to achieve a sense of security and allow them to live their lives free from worry as they go about their daily routines.

Medical alert devices have been around for decades, but these gadgets have changed significantly from the days of the commercials featuring the fallen woman who could not get up. While those push-button pendants which send out a signal for help during medical emergencies still exist, today’s medical alert systems can also respond to voice commands and can continuously monitor for falls, fires, carbon monoxide and other emergencies. They can also be programmed to send out alerts by phone or text message to neighbors, friends or family, in addition to emergency response services, when a problem occurs.

Many families are turning to camera systems to keep an eye on their loved ones inside the home and an eye on those who may be lurking around outside. Many inexpensive camera systems can be found online, and most can be programmed to send images to a smart phone, tablet, or other electronic device. Some indoor cameras also include speakers and microphone, allowing family members to communicate with one another and allowing them to direct their older loved one based on what they are seeing on the screen.

In a similar way, smart doorbells allow seniors to see the person knocking at their door by sending images to an electronic device. Many doorbell video systems also include an audio system, which allows the resident to talk to their visitor without opening the door. The video from these systems can also be stored by using the manufacturer’s app and viewed later if problems occur. In recent years these security measures have become popular with young and old alike as way of catching thieves stealing packages delivered when no one is home.

In the digital age, many smart homes are equipped with automatic locks and lighting systems. These home features can be especially helpful for older adults. Smart door lock can be programmed to lock automatically and can be useful for seniors who may forget to lock the door behind them when they come inside. Many smart lock systems can also be programmed to a to a schedule, unlocking and locking when it is most convenient for the resident.

Similarly, automatic smart lights can be set to a timer or programmed to turn on by sensor when a person enters the room, which is convenient for older adults with difficulty seeing in low light and limited range of motion, which makes getting to the light switch a challenge. Some systems also respond to voice command, allowing the residents to adjust their lighting with just a few words.

Those wanting an additional layer of security outside may want to consider motion detectors. These senors placed around the home can perform a variety of functions, from turning on a flood light when movement is detected to sending an alert to a control panel to detect a potential trespasser before the intrusion becomes a problem. Some systems can even be programmed to alert authorities, and others may include cameras, or even sirens to scare away intruders.

Doors and windows can also be armed with alarms that go off when a sensor is tripped. Not only can these alarms frighten away would-be intruders, but they can also alert neighbors of potential trouble. Many can be set to send an alert to authorities when the alarm sounds. In addition to keeping people from entering the home, alarms can also help families keep track of older loved ones who may wander, by alerting them when that loved one has opened a door or window.

Many of the safety options listed above can be combined into one package in a complete home security system. These systems, usually installed by professionals who specialize in home security, can include around-the-clock supervision by a dedicated monitoring station. These too can also be linked to apps, allowing relatives to keep an eye on them using their smart devices.

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Information provided by Visiting Angels, America’s choice in homecare. Visiting Angels non-medical home care services allow people to continue enjoying the independence of their daily routines in familiar surroundings. To set up an appointment for a no-obligation in-home consultation, call 330-332-1203.