How to prevent falls in your Harrisburg home
Catching your foot on a power cord or losing your balance on an unsecured rug may seem harmless to many, but they can be catastrophic for seniors. In reality, falls are the No. 1 cause of injury for residents over 65. If you’re a senior or a relative looking after an elderly parent, find tips on how to prevent falls in your Harrisburg home, and see how modern smart home features can boost safety.
Easy ways to prevent falls
Simple precautions will go a long way to keeping you or your loved one protected. However, you also have to look at the bigger picture and evaluate any health conditions that could make falls more likely.
- Look for hazards throughout your home. Keep clothing, papers, boxes, and other random belongings off the floor. Secure rugs. Ensure walkways are free of electrical cords.
- Install safety features. Standard home improvements like railings beside stairs and grab bars in bathrooms can greatly enhance safety. If you have steps, think about supplementing your railings with slip-resistant treads.
- Opt for sensible footwear. Flimsy slippers, heels, flip-flops, and old shoes with smooth soles increase the risk of falling. Select shoes that fit well with good support and non-slip soles.
Get advice from a healthcare professional
Beyond the basics like keeping objects off your floors, you need to think about your health and seek guidance from a healthcare professional. Some health complications and medicines can elevate your fall risk. Keep your routine checkups and vision checks, and ensure you know the possible side effects of your medicines.
Keeping active is also vital to maintain your strength, balance, and flexibility. Stick to a regular exercise plan approved by your medical provider. While exercise is crucial, you can also reduce unnecessary movements and make life easier with a smart home.
Boost convenience and safety with a smart home
Repeatedly getting up and down to turn on the lights, lock your door, or reset your thermostat is unnecessary and avoidable. A smart home will help! Here’s what you can do:
- Mobile access: Top smart homes can be controlled by mobile apps. You can turn lights on or off, reset your thermostat, secure your door, and even arm your system without leaving your chair.
- Voice activation: You don’t even have to use your phone! Sync your home’s security to a smart speaker like Google Home or Amazon Alexa, then just use your voice to control devices like locks and thermostats.
- Custom automation. Want to make life even easier? You can program smart automation actions and let your equipment activate on their own. Set a comprehensive scene at the end of the day and have your doors lock, lights lower, system arm, and thermostat update simultaneously.
In the rare event that you fall, a medical pendant that connects to your smart home monitoring agents can be a lifesaver. A simple press of a button can summon help fast during times when each moment matters.
Stay safe in your Harrisburg home with Vivint
Decrease the chances of falling and live smarter with a Vivint home security system in Harrisburg. Smart home features like custom automation and voice control are ideal for seniors and others with mobility issues. Add a medical pendant to your system and get immediate access to monitoring specialists during emergencies. Call (717) 844-9116 to design your system today.