Home Security

Home security systems can offer seniors safety through an added layer of protection. These integrated systems combine several electronic components to monitor and alert residents about break-ins, home invasions, burglaries, fires or other threats.

You can tailor the list of components to meet your particular needs. Modern home security systems no longer require a trained technician to install a system. With Wi-Fi-based systems now available, you can reduce the need to wire your home by choosing a do-it-yourself (DIY) option, which can be more practical and affordable.

You typically pay for the equipment and any professional installation required, then pay a monthly subscription for 24/7 monitoring.

There are several different types of home security systems to choose from. Understanding each option can help you choose the best home security system for your needs and budget.

Professional home security systems — and many DIY systems — come with 24/7 professional monitoring.

These systems typically do not connect directly to your local fire, police and emergency services. Instead, they connect to professionally trained professionals at company call centers. The system notifies the call center in the event of a break-in or other threat, and the team can contact your local first responders in an emergency.

Usually, if your security system alerts the call center about a threat, team members will call you first and ask for a “safe word” — a code word to make sure you are not under an outside threat, such as a home invader.

If you give a different word, the team will contact local authorities who will respond to your house.

Home security systems can give you an added level of home safety and greater peace of mind if you have decided to age in place — staying in your home for as long as possible.

As you age, criminals may see you as more vulnerable.

Almost 83% of convicted burglars said they would try to determine if a target had an alarm system before a burglary — with 60% backing out of the burglary if there was a security system, according to a study at the University of North Carolina funded by trade groups of the electronic alarm industry.

While data show that seniors are less likely to be the victims of crime overall, they are generally more vulnerable and many feel safer having a home security system.

Deaths from smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide in the home are two other threats home security systems can protect against by incorporating smoke and carbon monoxide monitors into the system.

Between 1990 and 2017, the proportion of deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning globally increased among people 50 and older, according to a study in the British Journal of Medicine.

Home fire deaths in the United States also spike between the ages of 55 and 74 and remain disproportionately higher than other age groups, according to a report from the National Fire Protection Association.

There is a wide range of home security system brands to choose from — more than 170, according to Consumer Reports.

You should shop around between different options to find the best combination of features and price that work for you.

Deciding if a home security system is worth it depends on your individual needs.

You’ll need to weigh the cost of a system against your desire to protect your belongings and your own sense of security and safety.

If you keep valuables in your home, live in a high-crime neighborhood or face other risks a home security system could reduce — a system may be worth it.

You should also consider the peace of mind a system might provide and your concerns over your level of vulnerability as you age.

Home security and medical alert systems serve different purposes. A home security system protects your property against intruders or other threats. A medical alert system protects you specifically in the event of medical emergencies, accidents and injuries.

Some systems may include both home security and medical alert functions. This can create an all-in-one system to provide protection against multiple risks you face as you age in place.

Otherwise, you may want to consider both a home security system and a medical alert system.

When shopping for either type of system, ask if it can be incorporated into an all-in-one medical alert and home security system. That way, even if you don’t want both right now, you can have the option of upgrading in the future if you change your mind.