How to prevent falls in your Augusta home
Catching your foot on a power cord or losing your balance on a loose rug might seem minor to many, but these accidents can be catastrophic for seniors. Truth be told, falls are the top cause of injury for adults over 65. If you are a senior or a relative watching over an elderly parent, learn how to prevent falls in your Augusta home, and see how innovative smart homes can help.
Simple ways to prevent falls
Simple precautions will help a great deal in keeping you or a family member safe. Even so, you also have to take a big-picture approach and think about any health conditions that might make falls more of a concern.
- Look for hazards around your home. Keep boxes, papers, clothing, and other objects off the floor. Secure rugs. Ensure hallways and common areas are free of power cords.
- Install safety measures. Simple home improvements like grab bars in showers and handrails beside stairs can make a big difference. If you have steps, think about supplementing your handrails with slip-preventing treads.
- Choose sensible shoes. Flimsy slippers, heels, flip-flops, and old shoes with slippery soles increase the risk of falls. Select shoes that fit with solid support and non-skid soles.
Get advice from a healthcare professional
Beyond the basics like keeping items off your floors, you need to think about your health and seek guidance from a healthcare professional. Some health complications and medications can make you more vulnerable to falls. Keep your regular medical checkups and vision tests, and make certain you understand the potential side effects of your prescriptions.
Keeping active is also important to maintain your strength, balance, and flexibility. Stay on a regular exercise regimen approved by your doctor. While exercise is crucial, you can also cut out unnecessary movements and make life more convenient with a smart home.
Boost convenience and safety with a smart home
Repeatedly getting up and down to switch lights on or off, lock your door, or change your thermostat is unnecessary and avoidable. A smart home will help! Here’s what you can do:
- Remote access: Many modern smart homes are controlled by cell phone apps. You can adjust lighting and thermostat settings, secure your doors, and even arm your security system without leaving your chair.
- Voice activation: You don’t even need a smartphone to control your devices! Connect your home to a smart speaker, then just say an instruction to control tools like locks and lights.
- Home automation. Want to make life even easier? You can configure home automation actions and allow your components to activate on their own. Set a full scene when you go to bed and have your doors secure, lights dim, system arm, and thermostat adjust on their own.
If the unthinkable happens and you fall, a medical alert that contacts your smart home monitoring agents can be a lifesaver. A quick touch of a button can summon assistance fast at times when every second counts.
Stay safe in your Augusta home with Vivint
Reduce the risk of falling and enhance your safety with a Vivint security system in Augusta. Smart home tools like home automation and voice commands are ideal for seniors and other residents with mobility limitations. Add a medical pendant to your system and get instant access to monitoring specialists during emergencies. Dial (706) 780-3805 to build your system today.