How to prevent falls in your Columbia home
Tripping on a power cord or slipping on an unanchored rug could seem harmless to many, but these mishaps can be devastating for seniors. Truth be told, falls are the top cause of injury for residents over 65. If you’re a senior or a family member watching over a loved one, learn how to prevent falls in your Columbia home, and see how innovative smart homes can boost safety.
Explore simple tips for preventing falls
Basic precautions will help a great deal in keeping you or your loved one protected. Even so, you also have to take a big-picture approach and consider any health-related issues that may make falls more of a concern.
- Check for hazards throughout your home. Keep boxes, papers, clothing, and other random items off the floor. Tape down rugs. Ensure walkways are free of electrical cords.
- Install safety equipment. Standard home improvements like grab bars in showers and handrails next to stairs can significantly boost safety. If you have steps, consider supplementing your railings with non-slip treads.
- Opt for sensible footwear. Unsupportive slippers, sandals, heels, and old shoes with slippery soles raise the chance of falls. Find options that fit with proper support and non-skid soles.
Talk to your doctor
Aside from the simple precautions like keeping items off your floors, you need to think about your health and consult with a healthcare professional. Certain health conditions and prescriptions can increase your fall risk. Keep your normal appointments and vision checks, and ensure you understand the potential side effects of your medications.
Staying active is also essential to maintain your balance, strength, and flexibility. Keep to a regular exercise routine approved by your medical provider. While exercise is a must, you can also cut out extra movements and make life easier with a smart home.
Boost safety and convenience with a smart home
Repeatedly getting up and down to switch lights on or off, secure your door, or change your thermostat is unnecessary and avoidable. A smart home can help! Here’s how:
- Smartphone access: Top smart homes are controlled by cell phone apps. You can lock your doors, adjust thermostat and lighting settings, and even arm your system without leaving your chair.
- Voice activation: You don’t even need your phone to control your smart home! Link your home’s security to a voice assistant, then just verbalize a command to control tools like lights and locks.
- Custom automation. Want to make life even simpler? You can program custom automation actions and allow your components to operate automatically. Set a full scene when you go to bed and have your lights dim, security arm, thermostat update, and doors secure on their own.
In the rare event that you fall, a medical device that connects to your smart home monitoring agents can be invaluable. A quick press of a button can summon assistance right away during times when each moment matters.
Stay safe in your Columbia home with Vivint
Reduce the chances of falling and live smarter with a Vivint home security system in Columbia. Smart home tools like voice activation and custom automation are perfect for seniors and other people with mobility restrictions. Add a medical pendant to your system and get instant access to monitoring agents whenever you need it. Place a call to (573) 641-8250 to create your system today.