As our loved ones age increases, so does their risk for falling in their home. At Vital-Link we feel very strongly about the benefit of a medical alert system, but there are many other smaller things that can be done to help mitigate the risk of falls. Here are some tips.
- Bathroom is key. Over 75% of accidents happen in the bathroom.
- Set thermostat to no higher than 120 degrees to avoid scalding in the shower.
- If getting out of the shower/bath is increasingly difficult look into a specialized shower chair in addition to safety rails.
- Consider a stair lift as the stairs are another frequent location for falls to occur.
- Get rid of dangerous rugs, or at least be sure that they are nailed down.
- Be sure to equip all floors of the living arrangement with a smoke detector
- Safely tuck away all cords for devices such as telephones, cable, and modems.
- Have sturdy rails installed, these could help your loved one get up after a fall.
- If something spills be sure to clean it up immediately. Slippery = dangerous.
- Make sure all rooms are well lit, preferably with multiple switches.
- Use door locks that can lock from both side.
- Be sure to have a cane and/or a walker and use that at all times when getting around the house.
- Take the proper precautions in the event of a fire.
- Make sure any heaters or space heaters are at least 3 feet away from anything that can catch on fire.
- If you are a smoker, do not smoke in bed,
- If any of your appliances have frayed or worn out cords, replace the appliance.
- Avoid wearing loose clothing when you are cooking,
- Do not rush to the phone. Many falls occur when you are rushing to do something.
- Ask your doctor if there is an exercise regimen that will aid in fall prevention
Should you have any more questions about Medical Alert Systems give us a call at 1-800-338-4825.