“I want to wake up in a city that never sleeps…” If you have the heart of this Frank Sinatra lyric, living for the hustle and bustle of city life, you know that urban dwelling is unlike any other living environment. Between the vibrant culture, convenience and excitement, and access to top-notch healthcare, it’s easy to understand why urban living is beloved by so many.
However, while city life is invigorating and exciting, it also comes with some senior safety risks. In this article, we’ll explore eight home elderly safety tips for making urban living more safe, fulfilling, and livable for seniors.
1. Light your home
Insufficient lighting is one of the most significant senior safety concerns, potentially causing theft, falls, and other accidents. So, good lighting can be your best friend. One study found that outdoor lighting in New York City cut crime by 39%. Strategically placed lights inside and outside the home help deter potential intruders, minimize crime, and reduce your risk of trips and falls. Motion-activated lights in entryways and pathways also help discourage home invasions and add visibility to help you move around the home.
If you want to add lighting, don’t deal with complicated electrical wiring yourself. With GoGo’s Home Services, you can find trusted, vetted electricians and home professionals to do these home updates for you at a reasonable price. Behind the scenes, our GoGoGuardians screen professionals and monitor your requests, ensuring top-notch senior safety when inviting someone new into your home.
2. Secure locks and windows
Burglars take the path of least resistance, so unlocked doors and windows are an open invitation for theft. Sturdy locks, lock bars, peepholes, and reinforced doors help keep away unwanted visitors while promoting elderly safety, control, and empowerment. You can sleep easy every time you click that lock into place, knowing you’re taking extra steps to safeguard your home.
3. Install a home security system
Smart home systems turn your city apartment into a senior safety fortress. These high-tech security systems include cameras, motion sensors, loud alarms, and smartphone apps to notify you about goings-on at home, even when you’re out of the house. Some security systems also include 24/7 personnel that monitor any suspicious activity and alert the police if there are emergencies.
You can even share these technologies with trusted loved ones, so they can also keep an eye on you and your home remotely. GoGoGrandparent has a similar optional feature called Family Features that lets your loved ones monitor and pay for your rides and requests, so you always have someone watching out for your senior safety.
4. Tech-up your house for senior safety
Along with a home security system, consider automating other parts of your home for elderly safety and convenience. You can set up smart thermostats, lights, and locks, letting you command your home with the simple touch of a button on the wall or your phone. Remotely controlling your systems allows your home to respond to your needs quickly and easily, regardless of what’s going on in the city around you. Plus, smart homes are more energy efficient, which helps save money that you can use to enjoy your retirement.
Do you want a smart home but find the setup daunting? GoGo Home Service professionals can help. GoGoGrandparent will connect you to trusted service providers who can install your purchased smart devices and teach you how to use them for optimal elderly safety. Learn more about GoGo’s Home Services here.
5. Secure your WiFi network
Hackers are attracted to open WiFi networks in cities, where they can steal information you put online, including your address, name, social security, credit card numbers, and more. Setting up a secure, password-protected WiFi network is critical to ensuring you can explore the digital world, safe from online scams and identity theft.
Is your WiFi network secure? Call in an internet professional through GoGoGrandparent to run diagnostics to make sure you’re protected.
6. Do regular home maintenance checks
Senior safety starts with a comfortable, well-maintained home. You want to create an environment where you can move freely and confidently without worrying about trips, falls, or accidents. At the beginning of every season, do a routine home maintenance check to keep your home safe. This includes addressing loose handrails, uneven flooring, potential tripping hazards, accessible emergency exits, low-light areas, and more. If you live in an apartment building, talk to the landlord about updates to communal areas as well.
If you need repairs, call GoGo’s Home Services. We’ll send out a trusted handyman to help get your home in tip-top shape.
Check out these 12 easy and inexpensive home modifications that dramatically enhance senior safety.
7. Get instant help with emergency alert systems
Emergency alert systems can be a lifesaver in the case of medical emergencies, falls, or crime. Studies show that personal emergency devices significantly improve mental health scores and feelings of senior safety and security. Wearable devices and strategically-placed buttons around the home ensure help is just a push away. Check out the National Council on Aging’s list of top eight fall detection devices of 2024 to start your search for the right device for you.
8. Join the neighborhood watch to encourage senior safety
There’s safety in numbers, and staying active in your community is a great way to enhance senior safety at home. Participating in watch programs and local community events promotes a secure neighborhood and transforms your street into a vibrant community where everyone looks out for each other.
How GoGoGrandparent improves senior safety in cities
Leave the heavy lifting of senior safety updates to the experts. GoGo’s Home Services offer peace of mind in your home by connecting you with trusted, vetted home professionals to update your house with improved elderly safety safeguards. Whether you want to install more light fixtures, change up your home’s technology features, or make your house more accessible to your changing lifestyle, GoGo’s home professionals are there to help.
Your safety and satisfaction are our priorities at GoGoGrandparent, so we make sure every home update is a seamless experience for you. Our GoGoGuardians work diligently behind the scenes to screen these professionals and monitor your requests. This adds an extra layer of senior safety, offering reassurance whenever you invite a new face into your home.
Elderly safety for urban dwelling
Ensuring senior safety for urban dwellers requires a combination of technological solutions, proactive measures, and community engagement. By implementing these home senior safety tips and leveraging GoGo’s Home Services, you can enjoy the benefits of city life while minimizing any potential risks.
Register for GoGoGrandparent now to get access to thousands of trusted, screened home service professionals in your city who can help update your city home this week.
