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Millions of OAPs feel unsafe in their own home as they fear becoming victims of crime
MILLIONS of pensioners feel unsafe in their own home, a study has found.
Falling ill or having an accident with no-one nearby to help, anti-social behaviour and having no support is leaving almost one in five fearful as they get older.
Others admit to worrying they are going to be targeted by burglars or forceful cold callers when at home alone.
Despite four in ten saying they wouldn’t want to go into a care home, more than a quarter believe they are the only safe option once you reach a certain age or if your health begins to deteriorate.
And 44 per cent admit to always trying to make sure a phone is close by in case they need assistance while on their own.
A spokesman for personal alarm firm My SOS Family, which commissioned the research, said: “It’s worrying to see so many of our elderly generation feel unsafe in their own homes.
“For many, particularly those who live alone, the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour can leave you feeling vulnerable.
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“But there is also the worry of having an accident or falling ill but being unable to reach anyone for help.
“Even everyday situations such as reaching something off a high shelf can leave some elderly people feeling isolated in their home.”
The study, of 2,000 people aged over 60, found 17 per cent feel unsafe in their homes with being targeted by burglars the biggest concern (60 per cent).
More than half worry about having an accident and being unable to reach a phone while 44 per cent fear falling ill and having no one to call on for help.
Other concerns include being targeted by cold callers (29 per cent), fraudsters who come to your door (33 per cent) and anti-social behaviour near their home (37 per cent).
And when they are at home alone, almost one in ten say they feel “nervous” or “on edge” while almost one in twenty even say they end up feeling stressed.
Almost one in ten have had an occasion where they needed help in their home, but were unable to get hold of a loved one, or didn’t have anyone they could call on.
And one in ten over 60s also admitted they don’t have any idea who they would call in case of emergency.
A spokesman for My SOS Family added: “My SOS Family can offer that protection within five minutes as you don’t have to wait for hardware to be delivered and can feel comfortable in your home again almost immediately.
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