How to prevent falls in your Columbus home
Catching your foot on an electrical cord or slipping on a loose rug may seem minor to many, but they can be catastrophic for seniors. In fact, falls are the No. 1 cause of injury for residents over 65. If you are a senior or a family member looking after a parent or grandparent, find tips on how to prevent falls in your Columbus home, and see how innovative smart homes can boost safety.
Simple tips to prevent falls
Simple precautions will help a great deal in keeping you or your loved one safe. Even so, you also must take a big-picture approach and consider any health-related issues that may make falls more likely.
- Look for hazards around your home. Keep clothing, papers, boxes, and other random objects off the floors. Anchor rugs. Ensure hallways and common areas are free of electrical cords.
- Install safety features. Standard home improvements like safety bars in bathrooms and handrails next to stairs can significantly improve safety. If you use steps, consider supplementing your handrails with slip-preventing treads.
- Opt for sensible footwear. Unsupportive slippers, heels, flip-flops, and worn-out shoes with no tread left elevate the risk of falling. Find options that fit well with good support and non-skid soles.
Get advice from a medical professional
Aside from the simple precautions like keeping items off your floors, you need to consider your health and get advice from a healthcare professional. Some health complications and medicines can make you more susceptible to falls. Keep your regular medical appointments and vision exams, and ensure you understand the possible side effects of your medications.
Staying active is also vital to maintain your strength, balance, and flexibility. Stick to a regular exercise regimen approved by your medical provider. While exercise is crucial, you can also eliminate unnecessary movements and make your life easier with a smart home.
Add convenience and safety with a smart home
Getting up and down repeatedly to turn on the lights, lock your door, or adjust your thermostat is unnecessary and avoidable. A smart home is able to help! Here are some examples how:
- Mobile access: Leading smart homes can be controlled by cell phone apps. You can lock your doors, adjust thermostat and light levels, and even arm your security without leaving your chair.
- Voice commands: 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 use your voice to control devices like locks and thermostats.
- Custom automation. Want to make life even more effortless? You can program custom automation actions and allow your equipment to activate independently. Set a comprehensive scene at day’s end and have your lights dim, security arm, thermostat update, and doors lock on their own.
In the worst-case scenario of a fall, a medical alert that connects to your smart home monitoring specialists can be invaluable. A quick touch of a button can get you support right away at times when each moment matters.
Stay safe in your Columbus home with Vivint
Decrease the risk of falling and live smarter with a Vivint security system in Columbus. Smart home capabilities like voice commands and home automation are a great fit for seniors and other residents with mobility restrictions. Add a medical device to your smart home and get immediate access to monitoring specialists whenever you need it. Dial (614) 820-1364 to create your system today.