How to prevent falls in your Blacksburg home
Catching your foot on a power cord or sliding on a loose rug may seem minor to many, but they can be disastrous for seniors. In reality, falls are the top cause of injury for adults over 65. If you’re a senior or a relative looking after an elderly parent, discover how to prevent falls in your Blacksburg home, and see how modern smart home features can boost safety.
Simple tips to prevent falls
Basic precautions will go a long way to keeping you or your loved one safeguarded. With that being said, you also must look at the bigger picture and think about any medical-related issues that might elevate your fall risk.
- Inspect your home for hazards. Keep boxes, papers, clothing, and other belongings off the floor. Anchor rugs. Ensure hallways and common areas are free of power cords.
- Install safety measures. Simple home improvements like support bars in bathrooms and handrails beside stairs can make a significant difference. If you have steps, consider supplementing your handrails with slip-preventing treads.
- Opt for sensible footwear. Unsupportive slippers, sandals, heels, and worn-out shoes with slippery soles raise the risk of falling. Find options that fit well with proper support and non-slip soles.
Speak with your doctor
In addition to the basic precautions like keeping objects off your floors, you need to think about 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 exams, and make certain you understand the potential side effects of your medicines.
Keeping active is also essential to maintain your balance, strength, and flexibility. Stay on a daily exercise regimen approved by your healthcare provider. While exercise is essential, you can also eliminate unnecessary movements and make life simpler with a smart home.
Boost safety and convenience with a smart home
Getting up and down repeatedly to switch lights on or off, secure your door, or reset your thermostat is unnecessary and avoidable. A smart home will help! Here’s how:
- Remote access: Many modern smart homes can be controlled by cell phone apps. You can lock your doors, adjust thermostat and lighting settings, 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 say a directive to control devices like locks and thermostats.
- Custom automation. Want to make life even easier? You can set home automation actions and let your equipment run automatically. Set a comprehensive scene when you go to bed and have your lights dim, system arm, thermostat update, and doors secure on their own.
In the worst-case scenario of a fall, a medical device that links to your smart home monitoring agents can be critical. A simple press of a button can request assistance fast at times when each moment counts.
Stay safe in your Blacksburg home with Vivint
Lower the chances of falling and live smarter with a Vivint alarm system in Blacksburg. Smart home features like home automation and voice control are ideal for seniors and other residents with mobility issues. Add a medical alert to your system and get quick access to monitoring agents during emergencies. Dial (540) 340-9402 to create your system today.