Falls can be deadly for the elderly — here’s how to prevent them

The odds of recovering from a fall decrease as we age. That’s why it’s so important to avoid falling the first place. A good place to start is knowing what the most likely causes of falling are.

Common Causes for falls:
– Frailty and weakness
– Medications (causing lightheadedness or dizziness; drug combinations; taking medications at the wrong time)
– Tripping hazards such as throw rugs, clutter, and electrical cords
– Poor lighting
– Diminished eyesight
– Bad balance due to a lack of exercise
– Poor nutrition and dehydration
– Inner ear issues; impaired depth perception
– Fear of falling; taking tentative steps

A California Fall Prevention Task Force recommends eating well and drinking lots of water; tracking all medications and taking them when prescribed. And keep active to improve strength, flexibility, and balance.

Finally, here are some practical steps you can take to prevent falls right now:
– Clear out the clutter and keep passageways open
– Remove throw rugs and errant power cords
– Install grab bars in the shower and near the toilet
– Install handrails on both sides of stairways
– Raise the toilet seat a few inches with an elevated seat, preferably one with arms
– Use night lights. Pay particular attention to the home’s key hazard zones: – the bathroom and kitchen

If you want even more protection in the event of a fall, get EasyCall. EasyCall is a customizable medical response system that can automatically alert dispatchers in the event of a fall.

Want to learn more? Visit us today.

Advanced Security Systems Grows with New Account Manager

Zach SmithWith the addition of a new Account Manager to the company’s staff, Advanced Security Systems is poised to help even more customers enjoy the peace of mind a security systems offers.

Zach Smith of McKinleyville recently joined the company and brings more than 6 years of technical and sales experience. “It’s my dream job,” says Smith. “I’ve been looking to join Advanced Security for years and I’m excited for this opportunity.

Smith is looking forward to serving new and existing customers. As an Account Manager, it’s Smith’s role to ensure customer’s needs are being met, their systems are up to date, and any questions they might have are answered.

“We’re proud to have Zach on board,” says Advanced Security Systems CEO Chuck Petrusha, “When I called to make him an offer, he said, ‘Chuck, I’ve been waiting three years for this call.’ I know Zach will make a great addition to our team and customers will benefit from having him with us.”

Smith is the manager for Humboldt County-area accounts.

For more information, call 707-443-6366 or visit advancedsecurity.us.

[EasyCall] It’s An Alarm System–For Your Body

Your home, car, and money are all protected by an alarm system? Why not your body, too?

With EasyCall, you can get state of the art protection against falls and other medical situations at the press of a button.

With your customized call list, you choose how you want EasyCall to protect you. Just push the button and we’ll alert your family and medical providers.

Learn more about EasyCall today!

Yorkville Residents: What to Do After a Break-In

Being the victim of a robbery is something you’ll hopefully never have to live through. However, if it does happen, you need to know the steps to recover from the break-in both financially and emotionally.

Here are six things to do in Yorkville, Calif., after your home or business has been broken into.

 

Call the Police and File a Report

If you’re in the home when someone one is trying to break in, call 911 immediately. Do the same, if you arrive home and suspect someone is in your house. You definitely don’t want to confront a burglar on your own.

However, if you’re certain the burglar has fled, now’s the time to call the police or sheriff. In Yorkville, call the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 463-4086.

Resist the urge to start cleaning up police have arrived and told you it’s ok to do so.  Otherwise, you might disturb key evidence that police need to investigate the break-in.

 

Call Your Insurance Company

Now that you’ve informed the proper authorities be sure to contact your homeowners or renters insurance company within 24 hours of the incident. The company will likely send an insurance adjuster to inspect the break-in and make an estimate to cover damages. Be aware, you may be asked to provide receipts or other proof of ownership for any expensive items that were stolen, like TVs, jewelry, or other goods.

 

Begin to Clean Up and Put Pieces Back Together

Once the police have finished with their investigation and you’ve contacted your insurance companies, it’s time to start to clean up. Reach out to contractors to replace windows or fix busted doors or any other damage. It can be helpful to have carpets cleaned or rooms painted, this can help remove the sometimes painful memories of a break in.

 

Reach out for Help

A break in can be an emotionally draining experience. Don’t hesitate to reach out to friends and families during this time and don’t be surprised if it takes a while to feel comfortable in your home. As with any traumatic experience, you will feel better with time and the support of those around you.

 

Review the Security of Your Home

After you’ve mentally recovered from your break in, it’s time to think about home security and how you can prevent another incident from occurring. The best ways to improve the security of your home include getting a security system installed, adding motion sensing lights to the exterior or your home, and working with your neighbors to report any suspicious activity. Apps like NextDoor (https://nextdoor.com/) can make that easy. After all, most burglars will stalk a neighborhood before attempting a break-in, looking for vulnerable houses that will be easy to get into.

Advanced Security Systems has security solutions for homes of all types and sizes in Yorkville. Contact us today for a free, no obligation security consultation at 707-544-9200.

Learn more at advancedsecurity.us/yorkville.

Windsor Residents: What to Do After a Break-In

Being the victim of a robbery is something you’ll hopefully never have to live through. However, if it does happen, you need to know the steps to recover from the break-in both financially and emotionally.

Here are six things to do in Windsor, Calif., after your home or business has been broken into.

 

Call the Police and File a Report

If you’re in the home when someone one is trying to break in, call 911 immediately. Do the same, if you arrive home and suspect someone is in your house. You definitely don’t want to confront a burglar on your own.

However, if you’re certain the burglar has fled, now’s the time to call the police or sheriff. In Windsor, call the Windsor Police Department at (707) 838-1234.

Resist the urge to start cleaning up police have arrived and told you it’s ok to do so.  Otherwise, you might disturb key evidence that police need to investigate the break-in.

 

Call Your Insurance Company

Now that you’ve informed the proper authorities be sure to contact your homeowners or renters insurance company within 24 hours of the incident. The company will likely send an insurance adjuster to inspect the break-in and make an estimate to cover damages. Be aware, you may be asked to provide receipts or other proof of ownership for any expensive items that were stolen, like TVs, jewelry, or other goods.

 

Begin to Clean Up and Put Pieces Back Together

Once the police have finished with their investigation and you’ve contacted your insurance companies, it’s time to start to clean up. Reach out to contractors to replace windows or fix busted doors or any other damage. It can be helpful to have carpets cleaned or rooms painted, this can help remove the sometimes painful memories of a break in.

 

Reach out for Help

A break in can be an emotionally draining experience. Don’t hesitate to reach out to friends and families during this time and don’t be surprised if it takes a while to feel comfortable in your home. As with any traumatic experience, you will feel better with time and the support of those around you.

 

Review the Security of Your Home

After you’ve mentally recovered from your break in, it’s time to think about home security and how you can prevent another incident from occurring. The best ways to improve the security of your home include getting a security system installed, adding motion sensing lights to the exterior or your home, and working with your neighbors to report any suspicious activity. Apps like NextDoor (https://nextdoor.com/) can make that easy. After all, most burglars will stalk a neighborhood before attempting a break-in, looking for vulnerable houses that will be easy to get into.

Advanced Security Systems has security solutions for homes of all types and sizes in Windsor. Contact us today for a free, no obligation security consultation at 707-544-9200.

Learn more at advancedsecurity.us/Windsor.

[EasyCall] What Does it Take to ‘Age in Place?’

“Aging in Place” is the new trend in senior health. As more Americans age, many are choosing to remain in their homes as long as they can, while maintaining dignity and quality of life.

As we age and experience the inevitable changes to our health, medical alert technologies like EasyCall play an important roll in ensuring we’re able to enjoy our homes as long as possible.

Other simple upgrades can make a big difference too. Adding a ramp to an entryway makes it easier to come and go in a scooter or wheelchair. Railings in the shower and a handheld showerhead can make bathing easier and safer.

Working closely with your home health provider is key to identifying ways to update your home so it’s safe and accessible for years to come. For added peace of mind, get EasyCall so you’re never more than a push of a button away from help.