How to prevent falls in your Minneapolis home
Sliding on an unsecured rug or tripping on an electrical cord might seem harmless to many, but these accidents can be devastating for seniors. Truth be told, falls are the top cause of injury for adults over 65. If you are a senior or a relative caring for a parent or grandparent, find tips on how to prevent falls in your Minneapolis home, and see how innovative smart home features can help.
Discover tips for preventing falls
Straightforward precautions will go a long way to keeping you or a loved one safeguarded. However, you also need to take a big-picture approach and consider any health conditions that might make falls more likely.
- Check for hazards around your home. Keep clothing, papers, boxes, and other items off your floor. Secure rugs. Ensure hallways and common areas are free of electrical cords.
- Install safety equipment. Simple home improvements like safety bars in showers and railings beside stairs can significantly boost safety. If you have steps, think about supplementing your handrails with slip-preventing treads.
- Choose the right shoes. Loose slippers, heels, flip-flops, and worn-down shoes with slippery soles elevate the risk of falling. Find options that fit with good support and non-slip soles.
Get advice from a medical professional
Aside from the basic precautions like keeping objects off your floors, you need to assess your health and consult with a medical professional. Some health conditions and medications can make you more prone to falls. Keep your regular appointments and vision exams, and ensure you know the possible side effects of your medications.
Staying active is also important to maintain your strength, balance, and flexibility. Stay on a daily exercise routine approved by your doctor. While exercise is crucial, you can also cut out extra movements and make life simpler with a smart home.
Boost safety and convenience with a smart home
Repeatedly getting up and down to turn on the lights, secure your door, or reset your thermostat can be avoided. A smart home can help! Here’s what you can do:
- Smartphone access: Many modern smart homes can be controlled by cell phone apps. You can turn lights on or off, reset your thermostat, lock your door, and even arm your security system from any location.
- Voice commands: You don’t even need a smartphone to control your devices! Connect 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 lights.
- Home automation. Want to make life even simpler? You can configure home automation actions and let your components operate on their own. Set a scene at the end of the day and have your security arm, thermostat adjust, door lock, and lights dim on their own.
In the rare event that you fall, a medical alert that connects to your smart home monitoring agents can be critical. A simple press of a button can summon help right away at times when every moment counts.
Live safer and smarter in your Minneapolis home with Vivint
Reduce the chances of falling and enhance your safety with a Vivint alarm system in Minneapolis. Smart home capabilities like voice activation and home automation are perfect for seniors and other residents with mobility limitations. Add a medical alert to your system and get immediate access to monitoring professionals whenever you need it. Call (612) 662-1765 to build your system today.