Elderly Care Cherry Hill NJ: Protecting Your Senior’s Home during Holiday Vacations
Traveling for the holidays is exciting, and if you are gearing up for a journey to visit family and friends for your seasonal celebration, you are likely looking forward to the fun you’ll have and the memories you’ll make. As a family caregiver, however, it is important that you don’t overlook important needs while you are getting ready for the holidays, including the need to keep your parent’s home safe and secure while you are away. Elderly adults tend to be targeted for crime more often than younger adults, and criminal behavior increases during the holiday season, particularly when homes are empty. Taking a few simple steps can protect your parent’s home and their holidays.
Use these tips to protect your senior’s home during holiday vacations:
● Avoid putting travel plans on social media. This can catch the attention of people who may take advantage of your senior’s absence
● Let neighbors your parent is familiar with know they will be out of town and ask that they keep an eye on the house. Inform them of anyone who might be coming by and ask that they let you or the police know if they see anyone else close to the home
● Stop mail and newspaper delivery. Nothing signals an empty home faster than an overflowing mailbox and newspapers piling up at the end of the driveway
● Invest in a timer that turns lights and other electronics on and off at different intervals throughout the trip. Many allow for staggered programming so different ones turn on and off at different times, creating unpredictability
● Make sure the perimeter of the home is very well lit and remains lit throughout the entire trip
● Set a precedent by leaving the outside lights on for several days leading up to the trip so that the sudden appearance of these lights does not indicate a change
● If possible, leave a car parked in front of the house or in the driveway for a few days leading up to the trip and then throughout the trip to give the illusion of someone being home
● Have a trusted friend, family member, or neighbor go to the house a few times while your parent is gone and be visible in their presence. Have them arrive during daylight hours when they will be seen and consider activities such as decorating outside, shoveling snow, or even ordering pizza to make their presence known
● Avoid putting gifts on display near easy to access areas of the home
● Move furniture and other items away from windows so it is not as easy to access the home
Taking on the responsibility of being a family caregiver for an elderly adult can leave you feeling like you are alone facing a daunting challenge. It doesn’t have to be that way. Elderly care can be there for you to help you handle your senior’s needs, give them personalized support and assistance, and allow you to focus on other aspects of your life as they age in place. Not only does this mean your parent is getting all the care that they need both when you are with them and when you are not, but it also preserves your health and quality of life.
If you are looking for Elderly Care in, Cherry Hill, NJ, and the surrounding areas call and talk to us at Home to Stay Healthcare Solutions (856) 321-1500.
