“When did a simple trip to the grocery store become so dangerous? Is that a traffic ticket on the floor? Oh no, she is using two feet to drive, and this isn’t a stick shift! Gosh, I haven’t stomped on the imaginary brake pedal this much since Jimmy was 15 years old and learning to drive. I can’t let her drive back home. Maybe she shouldn’t be driving at all.”

Have you ever had this experience? Family members often worry about their aging loved one’s ability to continue driving safely and with good reason.

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Topics: Aging, Home Care Planning, Safety

Tax season is upon us and so are the con artists. In one of the more popular scams, a caller pretends to be an agent from the IRS, complete with a badge number. Even the phone number has a Washington D.C. area code. The phony IRS agent says you owe money and threatens arrest, court action, deportation or license revocation. They try to scare the person by reading off their address, Social Security number and other personal information.

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Topics: Aging, Caregiving, Safety

There's no place like home. There's no place like home. There’s no place like home. You can probably envision that classic scene from the Wizard of Oz where Dorothy closes her eyes, clicks her heels together and repeats the line until she’s wakes up in her bed at her farmhouse in Kansas with Auntie Em by her side. She’s relieved to be back at home – a familiar, comfortable place close to family and friends.

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Topics: Aging, Home Care Planning, Safety

While medications are created to help heal illnesses or manage the symptoms of chronic diseases, prescribed drugs can also be dangerous if not taken correctly. 

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Topics: Caregiving, Safety, Healthy Living

Topics: Aging, Fall Prevention, Safety

Depending on where you and your older parents live, the first touches of fall are likely happening: heavy rainfall, brisk temperatures, brilliantly hued leaves or snow dustings. Whether your parents are traveling to warmer areas or staying to enjoy the season, it’s important to ready their home against the elements.

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Topics: Aging, Caregiving, Activities and Lifestyle, Safety

My husband calls it Arthur’s disease – his version of “Arthur-i-tis.” That’s his attempt to make light of the pain and limitations of the chronic condition that affects nearly every move he makes – sitting, standing, putting on socks and shoes, using a computer or playing the piano.

In the United States, over 54 million people have arthritis – that’s approximately one in four adults. In people ages 65 or older, that number grows to nearly one in two (49.7 percent).

Arthritis includes more than 100 different diseases and conditions that affect the joints. Arthritis causes aches and pains as well as swelling and stiffness around the joints. Specific symptoms vary by the individual and type of arthritis.

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Topics: Aging, Fall Prevention, Safety, Healthy Living

While some family caregivers gradually grow into their roles or are born into it, others can pinpoint the event that started their journey: Their father was hospitalized after a fall and needed more help at home, or their wife was diagnosed with an unexpected chronic illness.

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Topics: Aging, Fall Prevention, Home Care Planning, Caregiving, Finances, Technology, Safety

The warmer weather means vacations for many people. However, while you are relaxing poolside, fraudsters are working hard to snatch your money. Here are a couple of scams to beware of during these vacationing months. 

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Topics: Activities and Lifestyle, Safety

If you are taking to the road this summer, follow these tips to help ensure you get to your vacation destination and back home safely.

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Topics: Aging, Activities and Lifestyle, Safety