Safety

• Article - Bathroom Safety

  All components of the bathroom should be safe and easy for an elderly parent to use. Practical ideas for setting up a safe bathroom.

• Article - How to Handle a Parent With Alzheimer's Who Wanders

  What you need to know to create a safe environment for a parent with Alzheimer's who wanders.

Blog Posts

• Blog Post - Elders Keep Falling a Secret for Fear of Losing Independence

  Some elders hide their falls for fear of losing independence. Caregivers can take steps to reduce the risks of falling.

• Blog Post - Fire Safety Tips for Protecting Elders

  October is Fire Safety Month. These tips can help caregivers protect aging-in-place seniors from home fires.

• Blog Post - My mother gave power of attorney to her new husband, who is putting her life in danger. How can we get it away from him?

  My mother's new husband has power of attorney for her, but I feel he puts her life in danger. How can we get her to reappoint power of attorney?

• Blog Post - In Defense of Older Drivers

  Statistics show that older people, in general, are safe, responsible drivers.

• Blog Post - Virtual Tour Helps Make Seniors' Homes Safer

  A new virtual tour from the Home Safety Council, at mysafehome.org, offers caregivers advice on making the home safer for seniors and aging-in-place parents.

• Blog Post - Senior Safety Net at Your Fingertips: Dial 2-1-1

  2-1-1 is a free nationwide telephone service that connects you to all kinds of local social service referrals, including for seniors.

• Blog Post - A Stay-at-Home "Nursing Home"

  The I-House, a stay-at-home nursing home, is a "smart house" for seniors, the latest entry in a trend toward high-tech aging in place.

• Blog Post - Over-The-Counter Driving Hazards

  Even simple cold medications can undermine the driving abilities of elderly people.

• Blog Post - With Alzheimer's, Wandering Is a Merry Name for a Scary Problem

  Innovations in dealing with wandering, which affects 6 in 10 people with Alzheimer's.

• Blog Post - My sister's refusal to communicate with me about our father's care has brought back to mind years of mistreatment by her. What can I do?

  My sister is 14 years older than I am and has full...

• Blog Post - Parents' Driving Worries Baby Boomers, But No One Wants to Talk About It

  Survey finds widespread concern among Baby Boomers about their parents' driving -- and reluctance to talk about it

• Blog Post - Universal Design Part 2 -- Breaking the Ice

  Universal design can make seniors' homes safer, but many older people resist changes. Advice for getting seniors to agree to home renovations.

• Blog Post - New Legislation (and You) Can Help Prevent Seniors From Falling

  The Safety of Seniors Act aims to help prevent falls among the elderly. Here are ways to help reduce the fall risk for your parents.

• Blog Post - Going For Broke? Seniors Turn to Newer Loans To Avoid Cash Crunch

  Seniors hurt by the tough economy are raising money using reverse mortgages, life insurance settlements and 401k loans. In exchange for up-front cash, your parent may lose future equity or investment gains, so help them make smart money choices.

• Blog Post - Test Yourself: What You Don't Know About Alzheimer's Can Hurt You (or Your Loved One)

  Common misperceptions about Alzheimer's from an Australian researcher who studies this.

• Blog Post - Dementia and Driving: Is It OK?

  Driving and dementia: The question of whether people with dementia should be able to drive is controversial. Here, a review of some relevant facts.

Questions & Answers

• Question - How can I help my father get up from a fall without causing injury to him or me?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Can my grandmother get a safety bath tub from Medicaid?

  Medicaid can provide special bathing equipment for someone who qualifies for home health care.

• Question - Are there ways to help my vision-impaired parent stay active and safe?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - We are concerned for my mother-in-law's safety in living alone in her home, but how can we convince her to move?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What's the best way to keep a parent with Alzheimer's safe from wandering at night?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - What's the best way to catch my 91-year-old mother when she falls?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - Does a sibling have any say in her mother's burial planning if she does not have power of attorney?

  A power of attorney is a dead letter once the principal dies. But there are ways to protect wishes for final arrangements such as burial plans.

• Question - Is it safe to leave a parent with Alzheimer's home alone?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What are some budget-friendly ways to keep my mom safe during bathing?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - How can I encourage my listless mom to bathe?

  Elderly people sometimes refuse to bathe out of modesty or fear of falling. What can you do to help when when a parent refuses to bathe or shower?

• Question - Does Alzheimer's disease cause my mother's rummaging behavior?

  Rummaging is a common Alzheimer's behavior, though you may feel like it's driving you crazy. Alzheimer's behaviors like rummaging help calm a patient.

• Question - Why can't my dad, who has Parkinson's disease, correct his bad posture or avoid falling over?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - My dad refuses to obey his doctor's orders and stop driving

  My father's doctor has instructed him to stop driving, but he refuses to comply. What should I do?

• Question - How to resolve conflict over when to place mother in assistive-care?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Could herbal supplements affect my mother's ability to drive?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What can I do to encourage my dad to wear his personal emergency response (PERS) device?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How do I help remedy a sibling conflict about our dad's care?

  At a family meeting, one member was "beaten up" by 4 others....

• Question - How can I help my 82-year-old mother overcome her fear of falling?

  If a parent has a fear of falling, it can actually make things more dangerous. Here's expert advice on how to help a parent overcome fear of falling.

• Question - What are the risks with reverse mortgages?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What's the best way to help my 250-pound father walk?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Should I take cigarettes away from my mother, who has Alzheimer's, for fear she'll start a fire?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

News

• News - Stay Ahead of Head Injuries

  SATURDAY, Oct. 27 (HealthDay News) -- In 2006, an estimated...

• News - Experts Propose Rules to Rate Hospitals' Safety

  TUESDAY, Nov. 6 (HealthDay News) -- Standard guidelines...

• News - FDA Seeks Food Recall Authority

  TUESDAY, Nov. 6 (HealthDay News) -- Rocked by recent U...

• News - FDA Confirms No Heart Risk From Heartburn Drugs

  MONDAY, Dec. 10 (HealthDay News) -- A U.S...

• News - Gain a Foothold on Winter Walking Safety

  SUNDAY, Dec. 30 (HealthDay News) -- Staying on your...

• News - Seasonal Safety Tips for Older Adults

  MONDAY, Dec. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Older adults should...

• News - Most Free Drug Samples Go to Wealthy and Insured

  WEDNESDAY, Jan. 2 (HealthDay News) -- Most free drug...

• News - U.S. Food Safety: Home-Grown Problems Abound

• News - Surgery Better Than Stents for Multiple Blockages

  WEDNESDAY, Jan. 23 (HealthDay News) -- Bypass surgery...

• News - Avandia May Slow Atherosclerosis After Bypass Surgery

  TUESDAY, April 1 (HealthDay News) -- The controversial...