According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), nearly 90% of senior citizens want to stay in their own homes. As people age, seniors are more prone to a fall, which is the leading cause of injury-related visits to the emergency room in the U.S. and the primary cause of accidental deaths (75 percent) in people over 65. Medical alert systems help prevent these situations.
For those seniors staying in their homes and living alone, here are five safety tips:
#1 – Remove Tripping Hazards
Stop and look around your home. Often, we accumulate things throughout our life that may clutter our living space. Are your hallways and walkways clear of unnecessary items? Are electrical cords neatly tucked beneath or behind furniture? Is the lighting in your home sufficient to guide you? Make sure you have light bulbs that will light up your space and consider adding nightlights.
#2 – Stay in Touch with Family, Friends & Neighbors
Make it a habit to check in daily with a friend, family member, or neighbor. By asking this person to call every day for a short conversation, you will let others know everything is okay. Offer to return the favor for someone and you’ll also have a wonderful chat to look forward to. Plus, getting to know your neighbors is always a good idea. They may be the first to notice if something is wrong.
#3 – Take Care to Avoid Slippery Situations
While this may seem like common sense, sometimes we get distracted while cleaning or there is an unexpected mess (think pets!) that we may not have known about. Use non-slip rugs and floor mats to avoid a wet floor near entryways. Install safety bars in showers, bath tubs or near toilets to give you extra assistance. And remember to be aware of the floor conditions, even in your own home!
#4 – Keep Items in Easy-to-Reach Places
It might be time to rearrange those kitchen cupboards! Climbing onto counter tops or other high places should always be avoided. Keep things you need at a level that is easy to reach without assistance, or with a sturdy step stool.
#5 – Consider Habitec Medical Alert Systems
According to the New England Journal of Medicine, after a fall, 90% of those who receive help within one hour will continue to live independently. After 12 hours of no help, only about 10% will continue to live alone in their home. Habitec’s medical alert systems put help at the fingertips of those looking to maintain their quality of life and independence, while closely monitoring safety.
In case of an emergency situation, a simple press of a button will notify Habitec’s local Central Station directly. A Habitec operator will be able to communicate, over the two-way voice medical pendant with the customer to make sure everything is okay. If there is an emergency, the Habitec operator will proceed to dispatch the appropriate authorities and contact family to notify them of the situation. For reassurance, we will remain on the line until help arrives.
Contact Us to Find Out More!
If you or a loved one are considering Habitec Security’s medical alert system, our security experts can provide more information. Contact us today!
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