How to prevent falls in your Madison home

Sliding on a loose rug or stumbling on an electrical cord might seem harmless to many, but these accidents can be disastrous for seniors. In fact, falls are the No. 1 cause of injury for people over 65. If you are a senior or a family member watching over a parent or grandparent, find tips on how to prevent falls in your Madison home, and see how modern smart homes can boost safety.
Discover straightforward tips for preventing falls
Straightforward precautions will help a great deal in keeping you or your loved one safeguarded. With that being said, you also must take a big-picture approach and evaluate any medical-related issues that could make falls more likely.
- Look for hazards around your home. Keep deliveries, papers, clothing, and other objects off your floor. Secure rugs. Ensure walkways are free of power cords.
- Install safety features. Simple home improvements like support bars in bathrooms and railings next to stairs can make a significant difference. If you have steps, think about supplementing your handrails with slip-resistant treads.
- Opt for sensible footwear. Unsupportive slippers, heels, flip-flops, and old shoes with slippery soles raise the risk of falls. Find shoes that fit well with solid support and non-skid soles.
Get advice from a medical professional
In addition to the basics like keeping items off your floors, you need to assess your health and seek guidance from a doctor. Some health complications and medicines can make you more vulnerable to falls. Keep your normal medical checkups and vision tests, and make sure you understand the potential side effects of any new prescriptions.
Staying active is also important to maintain your flexibility, strength, and balance. Stick to a regular exercise regimen approved by your medical provider. While exercise is a must, you can also eliminate extra movements and make life more convenient with a smart home.
Boost safety and convenience with a smart home
Constantly getting up and down to turn on the lights, lock your door, or adjust your thermostat is unnecessary and avoidable. A smart home will help! Here’s how:
- Smartphone access: Leading smart homes can be controlled by cell phone apps. You can turn lights on or off, reset your thermostat, secure your door, and even arm your security from any location.
- Voice commands: You don’t even need a smartphone to control your devices! Link your home to a voice assistant, then just say a directive to control equipment like locks and lights.
- Custom automation. Want to make life even easier? You can set smart automation actions and let your components operate automatically. Set a full scene at day’s end and have your security arm, thermostat adjust, door lock, and lights dim simultaneously.
In the worst-case scenario of a fall, a medical pendant that connects to your smart home monitoring team can be invaluable. A simple press of a button can get you help immediately during times when every second counts.
Stay safe in your Madison home with Vivint
Decrease the risk of falling and enhance your safety with a Vivint home security system in Madison. Smart home capabilities like custom automation and voice commands are a great fit for seniors and other people with mobility issues. Add a medical pendant to your smart home and get immediate access to monitoring specialists during emergencies. Call (608) 470-6808 to design your system today.