Staying safe at home - advice from SeniorLine

SeniorLine is supporting callers from rural Ireland fearful for their safety due to the rise in attacks and burglaries on older people at home.

Callers talk about being reluctant to leave their homes during the day and feeling very nervous at night. Jean, 74, widowed 10 years ago, says the spate of recent break-ins is very worrying.

SeniorLine volunteers are encouraging callers such as Jean not to give in to needless concerns, because while such crimes against older people are shocking, the vast majority live safe and secure lives at home.

SeniorLine is Ireland’s national confidential listening service for older people provided by trained older volunteers. The service received over 18,000 calls last year and spends time working with older people to resolve the many issues they discuss. These include loneliness, poverty, illness, anxiety, depression and elder abuse, as well as the difficulties of living alone.

One of the reasons why some older people are criminally targeted is that as well as being solitary they may be more physically frail than younger householders. However, according to the An Garda Siochana, older people are less often the victims of crime than their younger neighbours. SeniorLine volunteers are concerned that older people can be unduly frightened by headlines which can give the impression that all older people are in danger. This is not the case.

SeniorLine also assures callers that there is a lot they can do to make their homes as safe as possible. Secure all doors and windows, use your alarm even when at home and timer switches when away to manage internal lighting. Don’t keep large amounts of cash at home, and don’t hide keys in obvious places where they could be found by prowlers.

Good neighbours are a vital component in crime prevention and reducing the fear of crime. The Garda encourage older members of the public to consider joining a Community Alert or Neighbourhood Watch scheme if there is one locally. Such schemes can also help in obtaining funding for various security systems available for qualifying older people.

The local Garda station or Garda Crime Prevention Officer can provide more information on the setting up of such schemes. SeniorLine recently completed a campaign with Community Garda District Offices throughout Ireland and witnessed their care and concern for older residents. Community Garda Units have now been supplied with SeniorLine contact details. These can be distributed to local older people and kept by the phone ensuring that vital contact and company is just a phone call away.

SeniorLine is open every day of the year from 10am to 10pm Freefone 1800 80 45 91.