How do you safeguard yourself against a fire? Chances are, you have smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in your home, and follow safe practices when using heat and flame. But you probably also have an insurance policy, just in case something happens….
For aging adults who live independently, adjusting their home environment for reasons of safety or accessibility can feel like an admission of defeat. However, putting off such improvements exposes aging individuals to greater risk of even more serious injuries — the kind…
As we age, certain physical abilities can begin to deteriorate; this decline may be enhanced by genetics, lifestyle, or prior injury. One relatively common functional impairment is low vision, which may take the form of light sensitivity, reduced field of vision, reduced…
In many cases, patients need extended medical care at home following surgery or during periods of prolonged illness. If you or someone close to you is at risk of this, it can be very helpful to educate yourself, in advance, about the…
Elderly adults who live alone may be targeted by scams attempting to gain access to their finances. Elder financial exploitation becomes even more common if they are experiencing the early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. If you are caring for an elderly adult, at some point you…
The world today seems to be all about connection and access — there are more ways than ever to learn the latest news, go shopping, and reach out to people near and far. Although there are times when this ‘right-now’ attitude can…
Over time, individuals with dementia find it increasingly difficult to successfully execute activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, dressing and eating. Eventually, these individuals will require more help from you to compensate. As caregivers, we need to pay attention to how…
For people living with chronic illness or injury, staying safe and independent at home relies on getting the help they need. And help comes in all forms: caregiving from family and loved ones; expert medical assistance from home health clinicians; and services…
There’s a growing ‘aging in place’ movement, whose members want to continue living in their own homes for as long as possible. But that doesn’t mean keeping everything the same, until a fall or injury (or the threat of one) forces a…
