How to prevent falls in your Virginia Beach home
Tripping on a power cord or losing your balance on an unanchored rug may seem harmless to many, but they can be catastrophic for seniors. Truth be told, falls are the No. 1 cause of injury for adults over 65. If you’re a senior or a relative looking after an elderly parent, learn how to prevent falls in your Virginia Beach home, and see how modern smart homes can make a difference.
Simple tips to prevent falls
Basic precautions will make a big difference in keeping you or your loved one protected. With that being said, you also must look at the bigger picture and evaluate any health conditions that may elevate your fall risk.
- Look for hazards throughout your home. Keep boxes, papers, clothing, and other random items off the floors. Tape down rugs. Ensure walking areas are free of electrical cords.
- Install safety features. Simple home improvements like safety bars in bathrooms and railings next to stairs can significantly enhance safety. If you have steps, supplement your handrails with slip-resistant treads.
- Choose sensible shoes. Loose slippers, flip-flops, heels, and worn-down shoes with slippery soles raise the chance of falls. Find options that fit with good support and non-skid soles.
Speak with your doctor
Aside from the simple precautions like keeping objects off your floors, you need to consider your health and get advice from a medical professional. Certain health conditions and medications can make you more vulnerable to falls. Keep your regular healthcare checkups and vision tests, and make sure you know the potential side effects of your prescriptions.
Keeping active is also essential to maintain your strength, balance, and flexibility. Stick to a regular exercise plan approved by your medical provider. While exercise is a must, you can also reduce unnecessary movements and make your life more convenient with a smart home.
Add safety and convenience with a smart home
Getting up and down repeatedly to adjust lights, secure your door, or change your thermostat is unnecessary and avoidable. A smart home can help! Here’s what you can do:
- Mobile access: Top smart homes are controlled by smartphone apps. You can lock your doors, adjust thermostat and lighting levels, and even arm your system without getting up.
- Voice control: You don’t even need your phone to control your smart home! Sync your home to a smart speaker like Google Home or Amazon Alexa, then just verbalize a directive to control tools like locks and thermostats.
- Custom automation. Want to make life even simpler? You can program home automation actions and allow your devices to operate independently. Set a comprehensive scene when you go to bed and have your security arm, thermostat update, door secure, and lights lower on their own.
In the rare event that you fall, a medical alert that connects to your smart home monitoring team can be critical. A quick press of a button can request assistance immediately during times when every moment counts.
Stay safe in your Virginia Beach home with Vivint
Decrease the chances of falling and enhance your safety with a Vivint security system in Virginia Beach. Smart home features like custom automation and voice control are ideal for seniors and other residents with mobility issues. Add a medical pendant to your system and get quick access to monitoring professionals when you need it most. Call (757) 294-8561 to build your system today.