•  Avoid living in remote or isolated places. Presence of neighbors in close proximity discourages criminals and enhances chances of an early detection of an untoward incident involving old persons.

•  Elderly persons should make arrangements with their neighbors to contact them periodically to ensure that all is well. In other words neighbors make it a point to physically see the elderly persons at least once a day. Such an arrangement can also be made with a friend or relative to ring up the elderly persons a few times to ascertain their welfare. If the elderly persons are not seen or not available on phone, inquiries should be made to check if there is any thing wrong.

•  Elderly persons must keep their neighbor/friend informed if they are moving out of their house and probable time of their return. If there is any abnormal delay, inquiries should be initiated.

•  Maintenance persons should be allowed to come only in the presence of a neighbor or friend.

•  Neighbors should be given particulars of close relatives/friends to be notified in case of an emergency or an untoward event.

•  Resident welfare associations should also play a role in ensuring implementation of some of the above measures. These associations should also discuss the cases of elderly persons living in their localities for more specific help in individual cases.