Home Safety Tips

According to a new CDC study published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), an estimated 234,000 people ages 65 and older were treated in U.S. emergency departments last year for injuries that occurred in bathrooms. Four out of 5 of these injuries were caused by falls—which can have especially serious consequences for older adults.

Almost one-third (30 percent) of adults aged 65 and above who were injured in bathrooms were diagnosed with fractures. Among adults aged 85 and older, 38 percent were hospitalized as a result of their injuries.

Call HelpAlert for more information on preventing bathroom falls and injuries.

Steps for Safety in the Bathroom

Certain home safety measures may reduce the risk for all household members of being injured in the bathroom.

Some prevention strategies include:

  • Adding non-slip surfaces and grab bars inside and outside the tub or shower to reduce slips and falls.
  • Installing grab bars next to the toilet for added support, if needed.
  • Install HelpAlert Emergency wall button.

Preventing Falls among Older Adults

Four out of five injuries that take place in the bathroom are the result of falls. Falls can be especially dangerous for adults ages 65 and older. Older adults can take steps to make falls less likely.

If you are 65 or older, take the following steps to reduce your risk of falling:

  • Get some exercise: Lack of exercise can lead to weak legs, which increases the chance of falling. Exercise programs like Tai Chi can increase strength as well as improve balance, making falls less likely for aging adults.
  • Be mindful of medications: Some medicines—or combinations of medicines— can have side effects like dizziness or drowsiness. This can make falls more likely. Having a doctor or pharmacist review all your medications can help reduce the chance of risky side effects and drug interactions.
  • Keep your vision sharp: Poor vision can make it harder to get around safely. To help make sure you’re seeing clearly, have your eyes checked every year and wear glasses or contact lenses with the right prescription strength.
  • Eliminate hazards at home. About half of all falls happen at home. A home safety check can help identify fall hazards, like clutter and poor lighting that should be removed or changed.

Service Questions

What happens when I push the emergency button?
Your help signal is received in a matter of moments by our trained Care Specialists who are here to assist you 24/7.

Can I take my pendants in the shower?
Because our help button is waterproof, it can be used when you are showering or taking a bath.

Will the HelpAlert Alert system work outside the home?
The HelpAlert Mobile Alert System is designed to be taken anywhere. The Medical Alert Systems for home are designed to be used in and around the home for distances up to 500 feet. After system setup, you should test the system range throughout your dwelling and immediately outside to see where it is effective. We may not be able to communicate with you in certain locations, but when we receive your signal we will follow your predefined set of instructions. If you need extended range, please consider our Mobile HelpAlert product

Is my service available all the time?
Yes. We are staffed at all times by highly skilled trained operators.

What type of information does a HelpAlert Alert Specialist have access to?
Only the information that you have provided. They have access to such information as your address, best route to your home, medical response agencies, your contact list and any hidden key or lock box information.

Will the HelpAlert Alert at home system affect my telephone service?
No. Medical Alert Systems at Home have no effect on your phone service or bill. It only uses the phone line to dial when there is an emergency and briefly for its weekly check-in. These are toll-free calls which will not appear on your bill.

What type of agreement do I have to sign?
There are no Contracts to sign. You may cancel at any time before the end of the month.

Are there any other costs in addition to the monitoring fee?
No, there are no other fees. The HelpAlert Alert Mobile Alert System is designed for up to 30 minutes per month of emergency calling – more than enough time to handle emergency situations.

What if I want to cancel my service?
If you want to cancel your service, simply call 855-55-ALERT (855-552-5378) We’ll make arrangements for your equipment to be returned. Upon receipt of the returned equipment, we will cancel your service – it’s that easy.

Who will respond if I have an emergency or need to call for help?
HelpAlert Alert uses a Monitoring Station that is fully staffed at all times. In addition to formal training, our response staff is EMT- certified and has Spanish speaking operators on duty at all times. Our modern UL certified facility uses state-of-the-art technologies for all monitoring systems, including fully redundant power, network, communications, and processing systems.
Your safety is monitored by some of the most highly qualified and extensively trained operators in the industry.