January 2025

Security When Aging (Especially If You Are Single)

In the course of aging, many of us may enter the situation of living alone, especially if we have opted to remain in our longtime residences. Recently, while taking the Village course Ready or Not, several single Villagers shared their concerns about living alone. It’s good to gather some strategies and information for elders living alone or in a caregiving role, and also good for couples. There are many ways to increase our safety, some that can prevent accidents and others that will keep our homes more secure.

According to AARP, the elements of home security/monitoring systems are: Video doorbells, super cameras, special alerts, useful links, door control, phone feeds and constant monitoring. 

If you are looking for a security system, three companies receive the top ratings for elders, according to Security.org:  ADT, SimplySafe, and Vivant.

According to AARP’s ratings, ADT is the best professionally installed system. The equipment runs from 4450 - $1500.  Monitoring runs from $25 and up on a monthly basis. The contract is for 36 months. Alexa and Google Home can be part of the system.

AARP rates SimplySafe as having the best professional monitoring. You install it yourself. It runs from $250 - $750. Payment is month to month. Alexa or Google can be used with it. Monitoring is less than $1 per day.

Vivant is rated best by AARP for elders with home automation. It costs $660 and up. Monitoring is $39 a month. The contract is for 42 months. You can use Alexa & Home Google. It can control temperature and lights.

Technology can provide many simple-to-use items to increase a person’s physical safety in their own home.  Examples of these are cameras, smart locks, video doorbells, motion sensors, automatic lights, motion sensor lights, smart speakers, automatic turn-offs, etc. 

Here are some examples of easy fixes:

- Put a rechargeable motion detector with a small light under the end of the bed.  It comes on to light the way for nighttime bathroom trips.

- Put extension pull chains on overhead fans, lights, etc. so they are easily within reach

- A countdown timer (about $12 on Amazon) allows you to have electrical items automatically turn themselves off – after 15 minutes to 6 hours.

- Install solar motion sensor lights in outside areas — by the car area or garbage area.

- Install a plug-in emergency flashlight wherever needed.

Additional safety tips – for security and safety – are provided by HealthinAging.org, a trusted source for up-to-date information and advice on health and aging, created by the American Geriatrics Society’s Health in Aging Foundation, at:

https://www.healthinaging.org/tools-and-tips/tip-sheet-home-safety-tips-older-adults