Home Safety and Security Features for Seniors: Tips & Strategies

Creating a safe and secure home for the older loved ones in your life can help them navigate their space independently while keeping them physically and financially safe from harm.

Home safety and security features for seniors — to protect against things like fires, theft, scams, falling accidents and other medical emergencies — can bring you and your older family members peace of mind. 

Let’s look at some strategies to keep seniors safe in their homes so they can continue to live independently.

Fall Prevention Strategies 

Every year, more than 1 in 4 adults over age 65 experiences a fall(Opens in a new window). Many of these falls can be prevented by addressing hazards in the home, such as loose rugs, poor lighting and cluttered walkways.  

If your loved one uses a cane or walker to move around the home, make sure that it’s left within reach so they can easily access it when needed. If they wear glasses or hearing aids, ensure they’re clean and charged and consistently used.

Other important fall prevention(Opens in a new window) tips include: 

• Secure Loose Rugs: Many rugs can slide or bunch up when stepped on. Secure all rugs to the floor with grip pads or tape to ensure they stay in place.

• Improve Lighting: Make sure light switches are at the top and bottom of stairs and that pathways are well-lit. This includes long hallways or paths leading in and out of the house.

• Declutter: Keep items out of high-traffic areas such as stairs, hallways and near the bed to prevent accidental tripping.

• Install Grab Bars: Install grab bars or handrails near toilets, in showers and baths and on both sides of stairways.

• Use Nonslip Mats: In bathrooms and kitchens where the floor can get wet, place nonskid mats.

Fire Safety Essentials

People over 65 are at a higher risk of dying in a fire(Opens in a new window) than younger adults, so it becomes more important than ever to practice fire safety as you age. 

It’s essential to have working smoke detectors in the home, with a smoke alarm inside each bedroom, outside every area in the home where people sleep and on each level of the house. You should check smoke detector batteries monthly(Opens in a new window) to ensure they’re working properly. 

Cooking accidents are the main cause of home fires(Opens in a new window) and home fire-related injuries, so consider keeping a fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Twenty nine percent of home cooking fires(Opens in a new window) happen when kitchen equipment is left unattended, so make sure your loved one knows to stay at the stove until they’re finished cooking and turn off all burners, ovens and other appliances.

Have a fire escape plan and practice it twice a year with your loved ones. Ensure doorways and windows are free of clutter and that there are two ways out of every room in the home. If an older family member wears glasses or hearing aids, make sure these are kept near the bed or within easy reach. 

Medication Management and Safety 

Older adults are often prescribed multiple medications to treat or manage different health conditions(Opens in a new window). General cognitive decline and other more serious conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s can cause seniors to forget specified dosages or when they last took their medication. This can lead to accidental overdoses and adverse medication interactions.

Here are some things you can do to help your loved ones practice safe medication management(Opens in a new window):

• Use Pill Organizers: A pill organizer can help seniors manage which medications to take and when.

• Keep Medications in Original Containers: This eliminates the guesswork, so seniors don’t mix up their pills or take an expired medication by mistake. Be sure to throw away pill bottles once they’re empty. 

• Follow Health Care Provider Instructions: Don’t skip doses, and take the medication for as long as directed by your doctor. 

• Make a List of All Current Medications: Keep a list of all prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins and supplements your loved one takes. Note doses, prescription dates and other details such as which medications should not be taken together. Review this list at each doctor’s appointment or consult with a pharmacist for a medication review to ensure each medication is still necessary and safe to take. 

Security Measures to Protect Against Intruders and Scams 

Taking steps to secure your loved one’s home against intruders, scams and identify theft can help provide you both with peace of mind.

Protecting Against Intruders

Here are some ways you can help prevent break-ins and be alerted to suspicious activity around the home:

• Install Strong Locks: Secure outside doors with a deadbolt. You can also install door chains for restricted access when opening doors. Reinforce doors and windows to prevent an easy break-in.

• Installing Sound Alerts: Sound alerts can help you hear when a door is open, prompting loved ones to close doors around the home and providing you both with a sense of security.

• Use Security Systems: A doorbell camera with voice communication allows you to see who’s at the door without opening it. Some can connect with a smartphone so you can monitor visitor activity remotely. 

• Install Outdoor Lighting: Motion-sensor lights allow more visibility to the yard and driveway and can alert you to movement in those areas during the night. 

Phone and Internet Scams

With phone and online scams becoming more prevalent, be wary of unsolicited offers. Advise your loved ones not to share their personal information with anyone unless they know them or initiated the interaction, such as calling their banking institution. If they receive an unexpected call(Opens in a new window) asking for personal information, they should hang up and call the institution back themselves to verify the transaction. Make sure they understand to never give money or personal information to strangers who come to their door.

Here are some additional tips for seniors who use technology and are online:

• Never open attachments, click on links or answer phone calls from people or institutions you don’t recognize or know personally. 
• When online, avoid clicking on pop-ups. Enable pop-up blockers to prevent accidentally clicking them. 
• If your loved one is unsure about a link, attachment or request for personal information, ask them to speak with you or someone else they trust to verify the situation before acting. 

Identity Theft

It’s important to shred documents like bank statements, health history and tax forms that contain sensitive information. Tell your loved one not to carry their Social Security or Medicare card with them unless they need it for an appointment. If they shop online, advise them to use a credit card or gift card rather than a debit card. 

Use strong and different passwords for each account to boost security. Seniors may worry they won’t be able to remember multiple passwords. In this case, a password manager(Opens in a new window) can help them generate and store strong passwords on their preferred browser. Enabling two-factor authentication(Opens in a new window) provides an added security layer to prevent hackers from getting into their accounts.

Creating a Supportive Home Environment 

For seniors living alone, finding and engaging in a community can have a positive impact on their mental well-being. For example, regular online conversations show the potential to help prevent cognitive decline(Opens in a new window) in socially isolated older adults. Here’s how you can help create a supportive home environment for your loved ones:

• Connect with Family and Friends: Visit in person or speak on the phone regularly with your loved one. Help them install and learn how to use video calling apps. Many older adults also use social media(Opens in a new window) apps to stay in touch with friends, family, former coworkers or classmates, which can enrich their lives without leaving home.

• Engage in Hobbies and Activities: Hobbies can help seniors socialize and improve their physical and mental health. Puzzles, reading and games can help reduce boredom even when they’re alone. Gardening, photography or learning a musical instrument are other hobbies that can be mentally stimulating and fulfilling. 

• Get Involved in Community Programs: Senior centers often offer gatherings, day trips or classes to keep older adults engaged and connected with others. Volunteering or joining a fitness or book club are ways to explore different interests while providing connection(Opens in a new window).

Creating a Safe Home for a More Fulfilled Life

Home safety and security for seniors is important for their overall well-being. It’s important to keep an eye out for potential safety hazards that could lead to an increased risk of falls, fires, medical emergencies, break-ins or scams. Creating a more secure and connected home environment for your elderly loved ones helps ensure their days are safe, happy and healthy. 

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