Every day, seniors are targeted for crimes like home break-ins and identity theft. However, by taking a few precautions, seniors can guard against common crimes. Many older adults are choosing to age in place, and some need a helping hand to continue living at home safely and comfortably. Luckily, there is professional in-home care Altamonte Springs seniors can trust and rely on.
Here are a few tips that can help seniors stay safe.
1. Stay Safe on the Streets
Whether strolling on suburban sidewalks or city streets, seniors are common targets for muggers. To stay safe, seniors should take a few precautions. A purse should always be held close to the body. Seniors should also walk in well-lit areas and ask friends to accompany them. If they are attacked, they should never pursue their assailant. Instead, they should make as much noise as they can and report the crime to the police as soon as possible.
2. Stay Safe at Home
Seniors should keep the windows and doors locked to prevent home burglaries. They should also install a peephole on the front door, which prevents them from opening the door to strangers. When leaving the house at night, seniors should leave the lights on because it gives the impression someone is still at home.
3. Stay Safe in the Car
To stay safe in the car, seniors should keep their vehicles properly maintained at all times. They should get regular checkups, keep the gas tank full, and make sure the engine is healthy. This helps prevent breakdowns, which can make seniors susceptible to thieves and other criminals. Seniors should also keep their car doors locked when driving and when parked.
4. Prevent Identity Theft
Criminals who run identity theft scams frequently target seniors. To stay safe, seniors should always keep track of their financial accounts and credit card statements and check for any signs of suspicious behavior. If they spot anything strange, they shouldn’t hesitate to contact their financial provider. If seniors are sent mail that contains personal information, they should shred it rather than tossing it into the trash.
It’s also important for seniors to be on guard online. They should never give out personal information over email. They may also want to have anti-virus software installed on their computers. Ensuring internet safety for aging adults is an important decision all family caregivers should take. There are a variety of reasons family caregivers should consider respite care. Prestige Home Care, families often have additional responsibilities that make it more challenging to provide the care their senior loved ones need and deserve. A professional respite caregiver can take over your important caregiving duties, allowing you more time to focus on yourself.
5. Prevent Fraud
There are several ways seniors can protect themselves from fraud. First, they should always be wary of phone solicitors. If a solicitor is being too pushy or is asking for a credit card number, seniors shouldn’t be afraid to say no and hang up on them.
It’s also important to be suspicious of deals that seem too good to be true. If someone is promising a big financial return for minimal effort, it’s probably a scam. Seniors should never give their money to people they don’t know, and they should never take money out of the bank just because someone asks.
With some foresight and organization, elderly people can prevent a number of crimes. Aging in place can present a few unique challenges for older adults. Some only require part-time assistance with exercise or meal preparation, while others are living with serious illnesses and benefit more significantly from receiving live-in care. Windermere, FL, Prestige Home Care are leaders in the elderly in-home care industry for good reason. We tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual needs, our caregivers continue to receive updated training in senior care as new developments arise, and we also offer comprehensive care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s. To learn more, call us at (407) 232-7155 and schedule a free in-home consultation with one of our friendly Care Managers.