Home Security and Best Practices For Older Adults Living Alone

The news regarding Nancy Guthrie (the mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie) is deeply unsettling. Given that she was supposedly taken from her home in the middle of the night despite living in a quiet neighborhood, it has naturally sparked a lot of conversation about how we can better protect ourselves and our aging loved ones.

As of early February 2026, the investigation is ongoing, and the details, like the removal of her doorbell camera and the disconnection of her health devices highlight some very specific vulnerabilities for those living alone.

Here is a guide on safety and home security, tailored to the lessons we can take from this situation.

• Little Tools That Make a Big Difference After 60
  

Home Security

1. Upgrade “Visible” Security

The Guthrie case is a reminder that tech is only helpful if it’s active and secure.

• Tamper-Proof Cameras: Traditional doorbell cameras can sometimes be easily unscrewed or covered. Consider installing cameras high out of reach or using “turret” style cameras that are harder to disable.
• Local & Cloud Storage: If your internet is cut or the camera is stolen, you need the footage. Ensure your system has a “Cloud Backup” subscription and, if possible, a local SD card backup.
• Motion Lighting: Bright, motion-activated floodlights are one of the best deterrents for nighttime activity.

2. Secure the Physical Entry Points

• Reinforce Door Frames: Most burglars don’t pick locks; they kick doors in. Installing 3-inch screws into your strike plate and using a security bar (like a “door jammer”) at night can make a door nearly impossible to kick open.
• Window Film: You can apply a clear security film to glass windows and doors. This prevents the glass from shattering inward if struck, buying you precious time to call for help.

Staying Connected

3. The “Check-In” Ritual

Authorities noted that Nancy was discovered missing when she didn’t show up for church. For those living alone:

• The “Goodnight/Good Morning” Text: Establish a “buddy system” where you text a friend or family member at the same time every night and morning. If a text doesn’t come, they know to call or check-in.
• Smart Home Alerts: Modern security systems (like Ring, SimpliSafe, or ADT) can send a notification to a family member’s phone the moment an alarm is triggered or a camera is disconnected.

4. Emergency Tech & Health

In this case, Nancy’s pacemaker app and phone were key data points for investigators.

• Wearable SOS: Smartwatches (Apple Watch/Galaxy Watch) have fall detection and Emergency SOS features that can be triggered silently.
• Medical Privacy vs. Access: Ensure a trusted family member has the login credentials for your health-monitoring apps so they can see real-time data if you are unresponsive.

5. Community Vigilance

• Know Your Neighbors: In suburban areas, we often value privacy, but knowing the “normal” patterns of your street is vital.
• Share Footage: If something happens in your neighborhood, proactively check your own camera footage for “out of place” vehicles (like the white van mentioned in recent reports).

Safety Protocols

It is often the “soft” security, the habits and communication, that makes the biggest difference. Here are two ways to get that conversation started: a Check-In Agreement to set clear expectations and a Home Safety Audit/Checklist.

1. The “Daily Check-In” Message

This is a gentle way to suggest a safety routine to a family member or friend without making it feel like a burden or an overreach.

Option A: For a parent or older relative

“Hi [Name], I’ve been thinking lately about how important it is for us to stay connected. To give us both some peace of mind, could we start a ‘Good Morning’ text habit? Just a quick emoji or ‘hello’ whenever you’re up and having coffee. If I don’t hear from you by [Time], I’ll give you a call just to check in. What do you think?”

Option B: For a friend living alone

“Hey! I’m trying to be more intentional about safety lately. Would you want to be my ‘Safety Buddy’? We could just shoot each other a quick text every morning. It’s a nice way to start the day and ensures someone always has eyes on us. Down to try it?”

Home Audit

2. Home Safety “Audit” Checklist

If you are visiting a loved one or auditing your own home, go through these five items:

Item	Action Step
The “Deadbolt” Test	Ensure the deadbolt throw is at least 1 inch long. If the screws in the wall plate are short, replace them with 3-inch wood screws so they anchor into the wall stud.
Camera Settings	Go into the app settings and enable “Device Offline Alerts.“ This notifies you immediately if the camera loses power or Wi-Fi.
Phone SOS	On iPhones/Androids, set up Emergency SOS. (Usually involves pressing the power button 5 times to call 911 and alert emergency contacts automatically).
Exterior Lighting	Walk around the house at night. Are there “blind spots” where someone could stand unseen? Add a battery-powered motion light to those areas.
Spare Keys	Never hide a key under a mat or a fake rock. Use a coded lockbox bolted in a discreet location or give a key to a trusted neighbor.

3. The “Emergency Plan” Document

Keep a physical folder (or a shared digital note) that includes:

• A list of current medications and doctors.
• The “Master Code” for the home security system.
• Login info for any medical monitoring apps (like those for heart health or glucose).
• A physical map of where the main water and gas shut-off valves are.

Products to Consider

Video Doorbells and Cameras

This is the system we have at our barn. We have two solar and two wired.

Outdoor Lighting

Wearables

While no system is infallible, real security is a combination of fortified hardware, digital awareness, and most importantly, human connection. Let’s keep the Guthrie family in our thoughts and use this moment to make our own communities a little safer.