How to prevent falls in your Scottsdale home
Sliding on a loose rug or stumbling on an electrical cord may seem inconsequential to many, but these accidents can be disastrous for seniors. In reality, falls are the No. 1 cause of injury for adults over 65. If you are a senior or a family member looking after an elderly parent, find tips on how to prevent falls in your Scottsdale home, and see how innovative smart home features can boost safety.
Simple ways to prevent falls
Simple precautions will go a long way to keeping you or your loved one safe. With that being said, you also have to take a big-picture approach and think about any health conditions that may raise your fall risk.
- Check for hazards around your home. Keep clothing, papers, boxes, and other assorted items off your floor. Secure rugs. Ensure hallways and common areas are free of electrical cords.
- Install safety features. Standard home improvements like grab bars in bathrooms and railings beside stairs can greatly improve safety. If you have steps, supplement your handrails with non-slip treads.
- Choose sensible footwear. Unsupportive slippers, flip-flops, heels, and old shoes with slippery soles raise the chance of falls. Select shoes that fit well with solid support and non-skid soles.
Seek advice from healthcare professionals
In addition to the simple precautions like keeping objects off your floors, you need to think about your health and consult with a medical professional. Some medical conditions and medicines can heighten your fall risk. Keep your routine medical checkups and vision tests, and ensure you know the possible side effects of new medicines.
Staying active is also important to maintain your flexibility, strength, and balance. Stay on a daily exercise regimen approved by your doctor. While exercise is essential, you can also eliminate unnecessary activity and make life more convenient with a smart home.
Boost convenience and safety with a smart home
Getting up and down repeatedly to turn on the lights, lock your door, or reset your thermostat is unnecessary and avoidable. A smart home is able to help! Here’s what you can do:
- Smartphone access: Leading smart homes can be controlled by smartphone apps. You can lock your doors, adjust thermostat and light settings, and even arm your security from any location.
- Voice control: You don’t even need your phone to control your smart home! Link your system to a voice assistant, then just use your voice to control tools like lights and locks.
- Custom automation. Want to make life even easier? You can program smart automation actions and let your components operate independently. Set a full scene at the end of the day and have your system arm, thermostat update, door secure, and lights dim simultaneously.
In the worst-case scenario of a fall, a medical device that connects to your smart home monitoring team can be a lifesaver. A simple touch of a button can summon support immediately during times when every second counts.
Stay safe in your Scottsdale home with Vivint
Decrease the risk of falling and increase your safety with a Vivint security system in Scottsdale. Smart home tools like home automation and voice commands are a great fit for seniors and other people with mobility issues. Add a medical device to your smart home and get immediate access to monitoring professionals when you need it most. Dial (480) 681-6262 to build your system today.