What is the Best Home Security System for Senior Citizens?

To plan for your home’s security needs is an important task—one especially important for senior citizens who may have additional vulnerabilities. Property crimes are estimated to make up 93% of all crimes experienced by adults 65 and older, so taking precautions to deter intruders should be a strong consideration. Additionally, the system should be intuitive and accessible to all occupants who will use it.

Depending on the needs of the individual, valuable system features can include notification of authorities, detection of unsafe conditions, or scheduled automation of lights and locks that improve safety around the house. With so many options available, how do you choose the best system out of everything on the market?

What does a senior need to look for in a home security system?

The right choice in a home security system should account for the specific needs of the individual. If the senior citizen will be the primary user, consider how familiar they are with using high-tech devices. If the system is intended to help family members monitor an individual prone to wandering, which affects 6 out of 10 people living with dementia, then notification features should be a high priority. Some factors when choosing a home security system for seniors follow:

• Accessibility: the first hurdle to utilizing a new home security system is having easy installation options. It needs to be simple enough if it is a do-it-yourself setup; otherwise, options should be available for professional installers to mount, program, and maintain a home security panel and all connected devices. Choosing a system supported by a professional monitoring company will ensure the system is maintained from setup throughout the life of the system, but in all cases, the security system needs to be user-friendly to ensure proper operation.

• Reliable performance: having a reliable system means that it works as expected, without triggering an excess of false alarms due to oversensitivity. Having a strong signal between things such as home security cameras, your security panel, and your home’s Wi-Fi source is an important factor that should be tested at the time of installation. Additionally, include the inevitable in your plan, such as network or power failures. Having a system that incorporates a backup battery or a cellular backup communication module can go a long way to ensuring the system will remain online without fail.

• Budget and affordability: a home security system should fit your budget and offer value for money. While a security system can have a high initial cost, finding a service that allows you to pay over time can help ensure costs are under control. With a monthly contract, there may even be room to upgrade to premium features, such as adding surveillance equipment that can help identify threats or be used as evidence should something happen.

• User functions: seniors may want to look for systems that offer 24/7 professional monitoring, which can provide a fast and effective response in the event of an emergency. Some systems pair with medical alert pendants or panic buttons that can offer seniors with medical issues a measure of ongoing independence. Security features that can benefit everyone include door/window sensors, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and motion sensors.

Why Senior Citizens Need a Home Security System

Home security systems can benefit all occupants, but the primary benefits to seniors are as follows:

• Independence: as previously mentioned, a home security system can help seniors stay independent and live in their own homes for longer, by providing confidence with the protection needed.

  • A professionally monitored system also offers seniors the ability to have authorities called in a situation where they can’t defend themselves and potentially discourages those with bad intentions.

  • Having a doorbell camera with two-way communication can allow seniors to check the door through an intercom or via an app on a smartphone.

  • Home security systems can also help seniors maintain a routine by scheduling smart home devices to turn on or off at specific times, such as lights, thermostats, door locks, or anything that can be plugged in with a smart switch.

• Safety: hazardous conditions, including freezing, flood, smoke/fire/carbon monoxide, or home intrusion are threats to life, health, or a significant loss of property. By using a home security system with life safety devices that can detect and alert to these unsafe conditions, you are providing support and awareness to help ensure the well-being of your loved ones.

• Confidence: a home security system can offer peace of mind, promoting a safe and comfortable environment, which helps lower stress and anxiety by protecting against the unknown. Having a plan for emergencies can help seniors to be more carefree, increasing overall quality of life.

Tips for Finding the Best Home Security System for Seniors

While there are many options for home security on the market, finding the right home security system doesn’t have to be challenging. Here are some factors that will help you determine the system that best suits you:

• Gather a list: what are the features which you will most require? Take a survey of needs and wants or use this printable checklist. Things you will need can include security sensors for each potential port of entrance within your property, such as each door and window. Wants can include things such as a smart thermostat, which can allow a senior to control the home’s temperature remotely from a smartphone.

• Compare systems: read reviews, ask for recommendations from friends and family. All systems offered by Brinks Home™ come highly recommended and are used daily by hundreds of thousands of individuals.

• Get help: contacting a professional monitoring company can provide you with answers to your most daunting questions, helping you to decide which system can support your needs now and into the future. If do-it-yourself installation is the best option, you can seek help from friends, family, or neighbors who can tackle the more challenging aspects, like mounting an outdoor camera.

A home security system can be a great investment for seniors who want to stay safe, independent, and confident in their homes. Contact us today to speak with a Brinks Home™ Security Consultant to discuss which home security system is the best for you or your loved ones.