How to prevent falls in your Decatur home
Catching your foot on an electrical cord or slipping on a loose rug could seem harmless to many, but these mishaps can be catastrophic for seniors. In fact, falls are the top cause of injury for people over 65. If you’re a senior or a family member looking after a loved one, learn how to prevent falls in your Decatur home, and see how the latest smart home features can help.
Simple tips to prevent falls
Simple precautions will help a great deal in keeping you or a loved one safeguarded. Even so, you also need to look at the bigger picture and think about any medical-related issues that could raise your fall risk.
- Check for hazards around your home. Keep deliveries, papers, clothing, and other assorted objects off the floor. Anchor rugs. Ensure walkways are free of power cords.
- Install safety features. Standard home improvements like support bars in bathrooms and handrails next to stairs can make a noticeable difference. If you have steps, think about supplementing your handrails with slip-preventing treads.
- Choose the right shoes. Flimsy slippers, sandals, heels, and worn-down shoes with smooth soles raise the risk of falls. Find shoes that fit with proper support and non-skid soles.
Consult with your doctor
Beyond the basics like keeping your floors clear, you need to consider your health and get advice from a doctor. Certain medical conditions and prescriptions can heighten your fall risk. Keep your regular medical checkups and vision checks, and make sure you know the potential side effects of any new medicines.
Staying active is also important to maintain your balance, strength, and flexibility. Keep to a regular exercise regimen approved by your healthcare provider. While exercise is a must, you can also eliminate unnecessary activity and make life easier with a smart home.
Boost safety and convenience with a smart home
Repeatedly getting up and down to turn on the lights, lock your door, or adjust your thermostat is unnecessary and avoidable. A smart home can help! Here’s how:
- Remote access: Many modern smart homes are controlled by cell phone apps. You can adjust thermostat and lighting settings, secure your doors, and even arm your security system without leaving your chair.
- Voice activation: You don’t even need your phone to control your smart home! Link your home to a voice assistant, then just use your voice to control devices like lights and locks.
- Home automation. Want to make life even easier? You can configure home automation actions and allow your devices to operate on their own. Set a scene when you go to bed and have your lights dim, security arm, thermostat adjust, and doors secure on their own.
In the rare event that you fall, a medical alert that connects to your smart home monitoring team can be critical. A quick touch of a button can request support right away during times when every moment matters.
Stay safe in your Decatur home with Vivint
Decrease the risk of falling and live smarter with a Vivint security system in Decatur. Smart home features like custom automation and voice activation are perfect for seniors and other residents with mobility limitations. Add a medical alert to your smart home and get quick access to monitoring agents when you need it most. Place a call to (256) 305-1902 to design your system today.