1. < Just Want to Talk

Safety First!

Posted by pml @pml, Sep 12 8:18pm

My husband died two months ago and after 30 years with a wonderful man that I love very much I find myself living totally alone! I began thinking, "What if something should happen?" So I started taking precautions to prevent things from happening:
-I put the phone in the bathroom nearby when I take a shower in case I fell and had to call 911. I also leave the back door unlocked when I shower. If the police have to come and can't get in, they will knock the door down! The rest of the day and night, all doors and windows are locked!
-I have a car alarm to guard against theft.
-I go shopping very early in the morning. I live 15 miles north of Seattle and all their drug using population who are now drifting up into our area. But early in the morning, they are all passed out and it's safe to shop.
-I don't have garage sales. I don't want strangers to know where I live!
-I have no decorative shades on ceiling lights so it's easier and safer to change a light bulb. (I get dizzy if I look up too long.)

That's about as far as I've gotten regarding my safety. Does anyone have any other suggestions that I could consider? I'd really appreciate it!
PML

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edsutton | @edsutton | Sep 14 6:49am

As Scottbeammeup said, home accidents are the greatest danger.
Arrange all cooking and work objects and tools to be easy to reach and not too heavy.
No loose rugs, get them double-sided taped to the floor.
Lots of stair rails and grab bars. Grab bars make great towel racks.
make your home clear and simple to navigate.

The thieves you're most likely to meet come into your home through the internet.
Don't click on email attachments that claim to come from banks, Paypal, etc.
In fact, avoid all email attachments from unknown senders.
Set up your phone to ring through for friends in your contact list.
Let the rest go to voice mail.

REPLY
itchyd | @itchyd | Sep 14 7:00am
In reply to @roch "All great ideas. Daily checkins by someone I think is important. I used to call my..." + (show)
@roch

All great ideas.

Daily checkins by someone I think is important. I used to call my mom everyday just to make sure OK. Sometimes I got concern when did not answer, but it was always because she was out doing things.

I had one elderly neighbor who would but a sign in her window every morning that was something like "I am OK" , and remove later in day. If neighbor did not see sign the next day they knew they needed to check on her.

Not big fan of ever leaving door unlocked. Do you have a trusted neighbor to leave a key with. If do call 911, and emergency vehicles show up, the neighbor would see and offer key. I have keypad locks on my doors, so if able to call 911, I could give them the code.

There are many articles on internet about home safety, the National Institute on Aging has a checklist for home safety that has some good ideas:
https://www.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2023-04/worksheet-home-safety-checklist_1.pdf

Jump to this post

Agree about not unlocking the door when showering.

REPLY
1 reply
samcal9977zz | @samcal9977zz | Sep 14 10:08am

I had Life Alert for a couple of years. Excellent service, but very pricey.

They have a pendant that you wear around your neck. It is waterproof, so you can even take it in the shower.

Expensive though.

I had it about 8 years ago. Back then, it was $70 per month.

And you don't have to just use it for medical emergencies. It can be used to contact the police or fire departments.

There might be other emergency alert devices that are cheaper and do some good things also.

AARP has a bunch of articles on Seniors and safety.

Here's one:
https://www.aarp.org/home-family/your-home/info-2021/aging-in-place-checklist.html

REPLY
2 replies
pml | @pml | Sep 14 2:05pm
In reply to @samcal9977zz "I had Life Alert for a couple of years. Excellent service, but very pricey. They have..." + (show)
@samcal9977zz

I had Life Alert for a couple of years. Excellent service, but very pricey.

They have a pendant that you wear around your neck. It is waterproof, so you can even take it in the shower.

Expensive though.

I had it about 8 years ago. Back then, it was $70 per month.

And you don't have to just use it for medical emergencies. It can be used to contact the police or fire departments.

There might be other emergency alert devices that are cheaper and do some good things also.

AARP has a bunch of articles on Seniors and safety.

Here's one:
https://www.aarp.org/home-family/your-home/info-2021/aging-in-place-checklist.html

Jump to this post

Thanks for the information! Wow! I didn't know Life Alert was so expensive! I will look into the AARP link that you sent me.
PML

REPLY
colely | @colely | Sep 15 9:31am

Stair Treads! You can see an example on Land's End. Medication List on fridge for Ambulance. Having someone checking on you. I have a texting partner.

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1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Sep 15 11:18am
In reply to @samcal9977zz "I had Life Alert for a couple of years. Excellent service, but very pricey. They have..." + (show)
@samcal9977zz

I had Life Alert for a couple of years. Excellent service, but very pricey.

They have a pendant that you wear around your neck. It is waterproof, so you can even take it in the shower.

Expensive though.

I had it about 8 years ago. Back then, it was $70 per month.

And you don't have to just use it for medical emergencies. It can be used to contact the police or fire departments.

There might be other emergency alert devices that are cheaper and do some good things also.

AARP has a bunch of articles on Seniors and safety.

Here's one:
https://www.aarp.org/home-family/your-home/info-2021/aging-in-place-checklist.html

Jump to this post

Not only AARP! Check with you local Senior Services for brochures and programs they may offer about safety on different topics. And don't forget to reach out to your local law enforcement. I bet their community services division may have some information about safety issues.
Ginger

REPLY
pml | @pml | Sep 15 9:50pm
In reply to @colely "Stair Treads! You can see an example on Land's End. Medication List on fridge for Ambulance...." + (show)
@colely

Stair Treads! You can see an example on Land's End. Medication List on fridge for Ambulance. Having someone checking on you. I have a texting partner.

Jump to this post

Very good suggestions! Thank you so much!
PML

REPLY
pml | @pml | Sep 15 9:59pm
In reply to @itchyd "Agree about not unlocking the door when showering." + (show)
@itchyd

Agree about not unlocking the door when showering.

Jump to this post

You are so right! I don't do that anymore! I hide a key outside in case I have to call 911 and can't get up to let them in.
PML

REPLY
lindabro | @lindabro | Sep 22 6:53am

If you have a smoke alarm on a ceiling that needs a ladder to reach for the battery to be replaced, call the local fire department,

In my rural Oregon community, that is a community service. Of course, provide the new battery.
may come and install the new

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1 reply
lindabro | @lindabro | Sep 22 7:00am

So sorry. Let me add these suggestions after two friends fell in the shower and could not get up to reach the phone on the bathroom counter.

1) Wear waterproof alert equipment,

2) hang the phone* so it can be reached from the floor near the shower and retrieved without bending over to the floor.

* in a bag

Both friends had friends who lived out-of-town and who called the local police to do a welfare check when phone calls were not returned.

Both ended up in a rehab facility and soon moved to a senior complex. One nearly died after three days on the bathroom floor naked.

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