These are some great ideas. When I was young and single in Baltimore, after an apartment break-in I slept with a hammer under my pillow for a while. I haven't worried much about intruders for a long time but I especially like the car key fob idea.
My oldest sister is recently widowed. She has a small dog. She has gotten to know quite a few of her neighbors mostly from walking her dog every day. They lookout for each other. I know a few of our neighbors, some friendly, some keep to themselves. It always amazes me reading police reports re people having laptops, cash, keys, wallets, and other things, stolen from their unlocked cars. I try to never leave anything of value in the car, and I automatically lock it whenever I get out. Just a habit I got into years ago.
Excellent list. I also display photos of my late husband, so anyone coming in the house will think there is a man here. I have two dogs, and a close neighbor comes by most mornings to walk one of them. It gives me a sense of security to know he is checking on me, as well. If I am having any work done such as window washing, etc. I always let the neighbor know. He then shows up casually and greets the worker, who probably thinks he is my husband. I have also considered letting someone use my extra garage space to park their car. Local police are also glad to provide advice on what types of crimes might occur in a neighborhood and how to minimize your risk.
These are great suggestions, and this is such an important topic. My mom was incapacitated by the fear of living alone, after my dad died (even though she lived in a very safe neighborhood and had known her neighbors for many years.) Since my husband's dementia diagnosis, I've had to make peace with thinking of myself as living alone. That was definitely scary at first. But the only real alternative is to start living a very small life.
One thing I do to make myself feel safer is to speak of my husband as an active presence in our household (when talking to a plumber or repair person, for instance.) The logic is very similar to leaving a pair of men's boots in sight. No one needs to know that he's in dementia care, not at work, when they're inside my house during the day.
When my husband was in the nursing home, I did that, too. It's a good idea. With all the photos around my house, who would know the difference? I'm sorry you are going through the dementia journey with your husband. It's so hard.
These are some great ideas. When I was young and single in Baltimore, after an apartment break-in I slept with a hammer under my pillow for a while. I haven't worried much about intruders for a long time but I especially like the car key fob idea.
My oldest sister is recently widowed. She has a small dog. She has gotten to know quite a few of her neighbors mostly from walking her dog every day. They lookout for each other. I know a few of our neighbors, some friendly, some keep to themselves. It always amazes me reading police reports re people having laptops, cash, keys, wallets, and other things, stolen from their unlocked cars. I try to never leave anything of value in the car, and I automatically lock it whenever I get out. Just a habit I got into years ago.
Thank you so much, Sue. A practical list, for sure.
Excellent list. I also display photos of my late husband, so anyone coming in the house will think there is a man here. I have two dogs, and a close neighbor comes by most mornings to walk one of them. It gives me a sense of security to know he is checking on me, as well. If I am having any work done such as window washing, etc. I always let the neighbor know. He then shows up casually and greets the worker, who probably thinks he is my husband. I have also considered letting someone use my extra garage space to park their car. Local police are also glad to provide advice on what types of crimes might occur in a neighborhood and how to minimize your risk.
Great suggestions, Laurel. Thank you.
These are great suggestions, and this is such an important topic. My mom was incapacitated by the fear of living alone, after my dad died (even though she lived in a very safe neighborhood and had known her neighbors for many years.) Since my husband's dementia diagnosis, I've had to make peace with thinking of myself as living alone. That was definitely scary at first. But the only real alternative is to start living a very small life.
One thing I do to make myself feel safer is to speak of my husband as an active presence in our household (when talking to a plumber or repair person, for instance.) The logic is very similar to leaving a pair of men's boots in sight. No one needs to know that he's in dementia care, not at work, when they're inside my house during the day.
When my husband was in the nursing home, I did that, too. It's a good idea. With all the photos around my house, who would know the difference? I'm sorry you are going through the dementia journey with your husband. It's so hard.