When night closes in, keep your guard up. However, don’t waste time looking for monsters who lurk under the bed. Or, wait for restless ghosts to prowl the halls. Rather, be aware of the potential hazards that might cause nighttime falls.

Although heart failure sounds like it could be another name for cardiac arrest, where the heart suddenly stops beating, heart failure is not cardiac arrest.

Heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes get a lot of attention, but you don’t hear enough about kidneys and how essential they are to good health. You have two kidneys – small, multi-purpose organs located in your lower back.

The whirl of the holiday season is behind us, and while you’re left with happy memories, you may looking back and paying more attention to the irregularities you noticed in your older relatives’ home or behavior. Maybe you are starting to wonder if they need some help with everyday activities.

Adequate nutrition can help older adults maintain muscle mass, increase their energy levels, reach an appropriate weight and much more. Make it easier for your older loved one to eat well and be well: Try out these simple meal ideas that follow the guidelines of MyPlate.gov and the National Council on Aging. Be sure to talk to your loved one’s dietitian or doctor before they start a new diet or new foods.

Did you know many common medications can mimic dementia in older adults? Or, that these medications can make pre-existing symptoms worse in someone who has dementia? These medications include both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that could be in your loved one’s medicine cabinet.

Finding a home care agency to watch over a parent, grandparent, spouse or another older loved one is a serious responsibility. Do you know what to look for in a home care agency to ensure you’re choosing the best for your loved one?

For many families, the holidays are the only time they spend face-to-face. While phone calls and emails are a great way to connect, it can be hard to notice changes in a person’s appearance or home that could indicate they need help.

If you visit older parents, grandparents or other relatives this holiday season, pay attention to:

Recently, my mom and I were watching the Hallmark channel and discussing upcoming gatherings and parties. By the time we started listing our to-dos for the season, we weren’t feeling the holiday spirit. It seems as you get older, the holidays become less joyous and more laborious -- cooking, cleaning, shopping, decorating, etc. Plus, if you are a family caregiver, then you’re doing the same on behalf of or for your older loved one.

This year, though, I’m going to hack the holidays and beat the system. I want my family to make memories and have fun without everyone being stressed. I can hear you shouting, “Yes, me too!”

As your age increases, so do your risks for various health conditions, especially if you are overweight and underactive. Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol can silently creep up on you along with unwanted pounds, wrinkles and gray hair. According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly one in four people with diabetes are not aware they have this chronic medical condition.