Caregivers in Woolwich Township NJ: Smart Lighting Can Help Prevent Falls Within the Home
Each year in the U.S., 25 percent of the elderly aged 65 or older fall down. While the CDC reports up to half of all seniors who do fall end up with minor bumps, bruises, and cuts, about 1 in 10 has a head injury or bone fracture. One percent of the falls lead to a hip fracture, which seriously impacts a seniors mobility. All of these statistics aren’t exactly accurate as some seniors never tell their doctor that they fell.
Falls happen for any number of reasons. A senior may fall because one of the prescription medications he takes causes dizziness. Another senior may have slipped on a loose rug. A fall down the stairs or in an entryway may be the result of poor lighting.
When a fall is the result of poor lighting, changes need to be made. This is where smart lighting comes in. Many of today’s lighting manufacturers have lighting that adjusts automatically to the environment.
In a sunny room, lights turn off completely. In a dimly lit hallway, lighting brightens up the area when motion is detected. In a bedroom at night, lighting adjusts for late night bathroom breaks without being so bright that the senior can’t get back to sleep. We’ve picked two of our favorite systems.
Philips Hue
Philips Hue ceiling mounted or suspension lighting offer lighting in 50,000 shades of white. These lights can be as bright as the sun or dim for sleeping. The lighting kits learn patterns and adjust to meet the homeowner’s needs. It can also be controlled through a smartphone, tablet, or devices like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. If homeowners prefer smart bulbs that are controlled by voice or a mobile device, that’s also a possibility with Philips Hue.
Sengled Element
Instead of buying new light fixtures, use the bulbs and hub that Sengled provides in an affordable kit. Buyers get two dimmable smart bulbs and the control hub in the kit. Buy extra bulbs for all of a home’s light fixtures. Use Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to dim or brighten rooms within the house with a vocal command. Control via a smartphone or tablet is also possible.
There are dozens of other products on the market that range from very inexpensive to hundreds of dollars. Lighting will fix some of the fall hazards in a senior’s home, but it can’t address them all.
Senior care services assist with falls where dizziness, muscle weakness, or general issues with balance are to blame. Caregivers are trained professionals who help with bath or shower transfers. They help aging adults get up in the morning. They can help with fitness routines and meals, too. Call a home care agency to ask about caregivers and pricing.
Sources:
https://reference.medscape.com/features/slideshow/falls-in-the-elderly
For elder care in Southern NJÂ and the surrounding areas, call and talk to us at Home to Stay Healthcare Solutions (856) 321-1500.
