“How safe are you when your loved ones are away ?” Asked a friend of mine, to his grand uncle, who was about 85 years old. “Well, relatively safe”, was the answer. With his children away and residents of a foreign country, he decided to stay back in India. They visit him once a year, and his age, makes it a difficult task for him to travel to them. This is a very common happening in most families today. Over the years, elders choose their independence and not the vice versa necessarily. A few of them move into retirement homes, which, in a way is the most safest way to stay. But a majority are single. Especially women. As one gets older, it is certainly a difficult task to manage a property and lead a life, especially if you are single. Vulnerable, they are very often the easiest target.
How can you make your living environment safe, if you are old and are living alone ? You have a majority of options. They best one is to find a good retirement home and lease ( not buy) your stay there. Buying a retirement property at an elderly age, especially in a scenario where your children do not want to come back to India, puts a lot of pressure on the elders. Having said this, if there is no option, then how will you secure yourself ?
Smart security , ability to adapt yourself to the technology can be a tough task. It is better then, to take some care. Do not open your doors to strangers.
Insist on identity. Check the identity with the telephone number listed in their ID card. Do not allow strangers into your apartment, without having another known resident with you.
Have a pepper spray with your always. It is not only for women. Men too can use that.
On financial issues, check out if the bank can send you money. To your home. Many banks do. Do not divulge your ATM Pin ( If you have an ATM card). Ensure that your mobile number is updated with the bank, so that any withdrawal is intimated to you.
Always carry currency change with you. This is one area where auto or cab drivers take advantage. Most important, keep your mobile phone on charge .
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Carry a portable mobile charger and keep it charged and use it when you travel. It is important for your mobile to be on a reach mode. And very importantly, in a situation that you feel a little unsafe, first thing to do is to keep your mobile in a silent mode, so that others do not know that you have the access.
Get some easy to use applications downloaded so that you can use them at appropriate times.
Reach out to voluntary organizations like Udhavi ( Chennai ), who can give you useful and practical tips
From a health point of view, keep your bathroom dry. Personal safety is also important, when you are alone. Else, in an event of accident you or your loved one is vulnerable to strangers. Get your bathrooms elder friendly. Elder friendly does not mean just anti skid tiles, grip bars…. There is so much the market has to offer to elders these days.
Take care. Be safe.
