How to prevent falls in your Worcester home
Tripping on an electrical cord or sliding on an unanchored rug might seem harmless to many, but these accidents can be catastrophic for seniors. Truth be told, falls are the No. 1 cause of injury for residents over 65. If you are a senior or a family member looking after a loved one, discover how to prevent falls in your Worcester home, and see how innovative smart home features can boost safety.
Easy ways to prevent falls
Straightforward precautions will make a big difference in keeping you or a family member safeguarded. However, you also have to take a big-picture approach and think about any medical-related issues that may make falls more of a concern.
- Inspect your home for hazards. Keep clothing, papers, boxes, and other assorted items off your floor. Anchor rugs. Ensure hallways and common areas are free of electrical cords.
- Install safety features. Simple home improvements like grab bars in bathrooms and handrails next to stairs can significantly enhance safety. If you use steps, think about supplementing your railings with slip-resistant treads.
- Opt for sensible shoes. Flimsy slippers, flip-flops, heels, and worn-out shoes with slippery soles increase the risk of falls. Select options that fit with proper support and non-skid soles.
Seek advice from healthcare professionals
Beyond the basic precautions like keeping your floors clear, you need to assess your health and get advice from a doctor. Some medical conditions and prescriptions can make you more vulnerable to falls. Keep your routine healthcare appointments and vision tests, and ensure you know the possible side effects of any new medications.
Keeping active is also important to maintain your strength, balance, and flexibility. Stick to a daily exercise plan approved by your doctor. While exercise is a must, you can also cut out extra movements and make your life easier with a smart home.
Add safety and convenience with a smart home
Repeatedly getting up and down to adjust lights, secure your door, or adjust your thermostat isn’t necessary. A smart home can help! Here’s what you can do:
- Remote access: Many modern smart homes can be controlled by smartphone apps. You can secure your doors, adjust lighting and thermostat levels, and even arm your system without getting up.
- Voice activation: You don’t even need a smartphone to control your devices! Link your system to a smart speaker like Google Home or Amazon Alexa, then just say a directive to control equipment like locks and thermostats.
- Home automation. Want to make life even easier? You can program custom automation actions and let your components run automatically. Set a comprehensive scene when you go to bed and have your system arm, thermostat update, door secure, and lights lower on their own.
If the unthinkable happens and you fall, a medical pendant that contacts your smart home monitoring team can be critical. A quick press of a button can get you support fast during times when every second counts.
Stay safe in your Worcester home with Vivint
Lower the chances of falling and increase your safety with a Vivint security system in Worcester. Smart home capabilities like voice control and home automation are perfect for seniors and other residents with mobility restrictions. Add a medical device to your system and get instant access to monitoring professionals when you need it most. Place a call to (508) 392-5472 to design your system today.