How to prevent falls in your Rockford home
Catching your foot on a power cord or losing your balance on an unanchored rug could seem harmless to many, but these mishaps can be catastrophic for seniors. In reality, falls are the top 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 Rockford home, and see how modern smart home features can help.
Discover tips for preventing falls
Straightforward precautions will go a long way to keeping you or a family member safe. Even so, you also need to take a big-picture approach and evaluate any health conditions that may make falls more likely.
- Check for hazards around your home. Keep boxes, papers, clothing, and other belongings off the floors. Secure rugs. Ensure walkways are free of power cords.
- Install safety equipment. Simple home improvements like handrails next to stairs and support bars in bathrooms can make a significant difference. If you use steps, consider supplementing your railings with slip-preventing treads.
- Choose sensible shoes. Unsupportive slippers, sandals, heels, and worn-down shoes with no tread left increase the risk of falls. Choose shoes that fit well with good support and non-skid soles.
Get advice from a healthcare professional
Beyond the basics like keeping your floors clear, you need to assess your health and seek guidance from a healthcare professional. Some medical conditions and medications can increase your fall risk. Keep your regular medical checkups and vision checks, and ensure you understand the potential side effects of new medicines.
Remaining active is also important to maintain your strength, balance, and flexibility. Stick to a regular exercise routine approved by your medical provider. While exercise is crucial, you can also cut out extra activity and make your life easier with a smart home.
Add convenience and safety with a smart home
Getting up and down constantly to adjust lights, lock your door, or change your thermostat can be avoided. A smart home can help! Here’s how:
- Mobile access: Many modern smart homes can be operated by mobile apps. You can turn lights off or on, adjust your thermostat, lock your door, and even arm your security from any location.
- Voice activation: You don’t even need a smartphone to control your devices! Connect your system to a smart speaker, then just verbalize an instruction to control devices like locks and thermostats.
- Custom automation. Want to make life even simpler? You can set home automation actions and allow your components to run on their own. Set a full scene at the end of the day and have your system arm, thermostat adjust, door lock, and lights lower simultaneously.
If the unthinkable happens and you fall, a medical pendant that connects to your smart home monitoring agents can be a lifesaver. A quick press of a button can summon help fast at times when every second counts.
Live safer and smarter in your Rockford home with Vivint
Decrease the risk of falling and live smarter with a Vivint alarm system in Rockford. Smart home tools like custom automation and voice commands are ideal for seniors and other residents with mobility restrictions. Add a medical pendant to your smart home and get quick access to monitoring agents whenever you need it. Dial (815) 362-1830 to create your system today.