How to prevent falls in your Columbia home
Losing your balance on an unanchored rug or tripping on a power cord could seem minor to many, but they can be disastrous for seniors. In fact, falls are the No. 1 cause of injury for residents over 65. If you’re a senior or a relative looking after a parent or grandparent, discover how to prevent falls in your Columbia home, and see how the latest smart home features can make a difference.
Simple ways to prevent falls
Straightforward precautions will go a long way to keeping you or your loved one protected. Even so, you also must broaden your scope and consider any health conditions that might increase your fall risk.
- Look for hazards around your home. Keep boxes, papers, clothing, and other objects off your floor. Anchor rugs. Ensure walkways are free of power cords.
- Install safety features. Standard home improvements like grab bars in showers and railings beside stairs can make a noticeable difference. If you use steps, supplement your handrails with non-slip treads.
- Choose sensible shoes. Unsupportive slippers, heels, flip-flops, and worn-down shoes with slippery soles raise the risk of falling. Find options that fit well with good support and non-skid soles.
Talk to your doctor
Beyond the basics like keeping objects off your floors, you need to think about your health and seek guidance from a doctor. Some medical conditions and medicines can elevate your fall risk. Keep your routine appointments and vision checks, and make sure you know the potential side effects of any new medicines.
Remaining active is also essential to maintain your strength, balance, and flexibility. Stick to a daily exercise regimen approved by your doctor. While exercise is essential, you can also eliminate unnecessary activity and make your life simpler with a smart home.
Enhance safety and convenience with a smart home
Getting up and down repeatedly to switch lights on or off, lock your door, or adjust your thermostat can be avoided. A smart home will help! Here’s what you can do:
- Smartphone access: Top smart homes can be controlled by mobile apps. You can secure your doors, adjust thermostat and light levels, and even arm your system from any location.
- Voice activation: You don’t even need your phone to control your smart home! Connect your system to a smart speaker like Google Home or Amazon Alexa, then just speak a directive to control tools like locks and thermostats.
- Home automation. Want to make life even simpler? You can set home automation actions and let your devices run independently. Set a comprehensive scene when you go to bed and have your lights lower, system arm, thermostat update, and doors secure simultaneously.
In the rare event that you fall, a medical device that links to your smart home monitoring agents can be a lifesaver. A quick touch of a button can summon help fast during times when each moment matters.
Stay safe in your Columbia home with Vivint
Lower the chances of falling and enhance your safety with a Vivint home security system in Columbia. Smart home capabilities like voice control and home automation are ideal for seniors and other people with mobility restrictions. Add a medical pendant to your smart home and get quick access to monitoring agents when you need it most. Call (803) 921-0946 to build your system today.