Prevention, Self-Care, and Safety

About Balance and Safety
A balance disorder is a disturbance of the inner ear that can make you feel unsteady or like you’re moving or spinning.

For Seniors: How to Prevent Falls
As you age, your risk for falling increases. More than one-third of people ages 65 and older and half of those ages 75 and older fall each year. And many falls in older adults result in fractures and other severe injuries.

Easy Ways for Older Adults to Prevent Falls
Many older people fall because of unsafe surroundings at home. Use these suggestions to safeguard against some likely household hazards.

You Can Keep Yourself From Falling
The best way to reduce your risk is to improve your overall level of fitness and flexibility.

Preventing Falls
About 75 percent of all falls occur at home. Taking certain precautions and exercising to stay physically strong can prevent many of them.

Preventing Falls One Step at a Time
Although it's impossible to prevent all falls, you can help keep yourself safe by improving your balance and employing "fall-proofing" behaviors.

Emergency Information Form
In an emergency, it is easy to "forget" even the most well-known information. That's why it is crucial for you to complete the information in this form for each member of your household.

Vital Signs (Body Temperature, Pulse Rate, Respiration Rate, Blood Pressure)
Vital signs are useful in detecting or monitoring medical problems. Vital signs can be measured in a medical setting, at home, at the site of a medical emergency, or elsewhere.

Pneumonia and Influenza
Flu and pneumonia are respiratory illnesses that should not be taken lightly. In the United States, pneumonia and the flu combined are the sixth leading cause of death. Older adults are at greater risk than younger adults for contracting pneumococcal pneumonia, the most common bacterial form of the disease.

Coping with Chronic Pain
Effective pain treatments are available. You can also take steps yourself to ease ongoing discomfort.

For Seniors: Don’t Brush Off Dental Care
Older adults may have dental concerns that can’t be totally taken care of with just brushing and flossing.

You Can Sleep Better as You Age
A good night’s sleep is as important to your health as eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. As we age, however, it can become more difficult to get deep sleep.

For Seniors: You Can Beat the Heat
After age 65, your body can't adjust to changes in air temperature -- especially heat -- as quickly as it did when you were younger. That puts you at risk for heat-related illnesses.

How Older Adults Can Prevent Hypothermia
Age lowers your ability to endure long periods of cold. You're also at risk if your response to cold is impaired by certain illnesses or medications.

Older Adults and the Common Cold
Cold and flu season is hard on everyone, but for older adults who may have chronic health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, it’s especially challenging.

Medical Symptoms You Should Never Ignore
Some symptoms may indicate the possibility of a serious condition and should be evaluated immediately by a health care provider.

For Older Adults: What Screenings Do You Need?
When should you have your cholesterol checked? Be screened for colorectal cancer? Here's a timeline for screenings and checkups.

For Seniors: Choosing a New Doctor
Whatever the reason for needing a new primary care physician, these suggestions can help you find the right doctor.

How to Evaluate Your Health Care Providers
To make sure you’re getting high-quality care, ask yourself if your health care provider is meeting your needs in five areas.

Maintaining Your Personal Health Record
A PHR can help reduce or eliminate duplicate tests and allow you to receive faster, safer treatment and care in an emergency. It also can help you play a more active role in your health care.

Choosing a Hospital
You don't have time to choose a hospital if you have a health emergency. But if you’re facing surgery or treatment for a particular health condition, taking time to find a hospital that meets your needs is well worth the effort.

Retired? It's Time to Join the Club
Now that you've retired, what are you going to do with all that spare time?

Seniors Can Maximize Happiness by Minimizing Clutter
It's tough to enjoy the golden years among bundles of old newspapers, stacks of store receipts and collections of used margarine tubs. You're also at higher risk for falls and fires.

Gardening in Your Senior Years
Whether the move is to a smaller townhouse, apartment, or assisted living center, physical challenges and a lack of space can confront gardeners.

For Seniors: Pass On Your Love of Music
Introducing some of your cherished tunes to a grandchild may provide a great catalyst for imparting information about your past.

Pets Fill a Special Role in Seniors' Lives
Having a pet can be a boon to body and soul—especially as we age. Pets can relieve stress—which may help explain why studies have found that pet owners have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

How Hobbies Help Your Health
That hobby you've been toying with could be your prescription for a healthier, more satisfying life.

Older Adults and the Importance of Social Interaction
Research has shown that social interaction offers older adults many benefits. Staying socially active and maintaining interpersonal relationships can help you maintain good physical and emotional health and cognitive function.

When Sadness Is Seasonal
If you feel depressed during fall and winter months, you may have a form of depression called seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Preparing for Severe Winter Weather
Knowing how to prepare for a storm, and what to do during and after one, can help keep you and your family safe.

Be in the Know When on the Go in Winter
If you live in an area where winter brings snow, slush and ice, the best advice about driving in these conditions is not to. But if you must venture out, be prepared.

Prevent Accidents in Your Home
The first and most important rule for preventing accidents is to use common sense. Many in-home accidents occur because people are in a hurry, take shortcuts or do things that they know are not safe.

In Case of Emergency...Be Ready for Anything
Don't wait to think about disaster until you're dealing with one. In the hurried confusion, you're likely to miss important items as you prepare your home or leave to seek shelter.

Simple Ways to Make Your Home Safer
The safer and more livable you make your home, the longer you can maintain your independence and avoid debilitating injuries.

Protect Yourself from Sexual Assault
Rape can happen to anyone—children, grandmothers, students, working women, wives, mothers, and even males.

Take Care When You Take a Walk
Children and older adults are two groups at higher risk for injury as pedestrians. Here are some ideas on how to help keep them safe when they are on the street.

Avoid Cane and Walker Injuries
Walking aids can help you stay mobile—but only when they’re used safely.

Street Smarts: How to Protect Yourself When Walking
Walking alone on the street—especially as a woman carrying a purse—can still be a dangerous thing to do. You can take a few easy steps to minimize your risk when walking on the street, whether it’s at night or any other time. Here are some tips.

How to Prevent Identity Theft
Luckily, having your identity stolen is far from inevitable. It just takes a little vigilance on your part to keep your identity safe on your computer and out of the hands of would-be thieves.