Bed rails might be an obvious choice for caregivers who want to make an older adult’s sleeping area feel safer. But choosing the right safety equipment isn't always as simple as it appears. Before bringing a bed rail into the home, caregivers should understand what to look for, what questions to ask, and how to decide whether it is the right choice for their loved one. How Bed Rails May Help For some older adults, a properly selected bed rail can serve as a useful aid. It ma

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America has released a free Caregiver Resource Guide for families caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s disease. With millions of Americans providing care to loved ones with Alzheimer's, the guide arrives at a time when many families are taking on increasingly complex responsibilities. The new guide offers reliable information about what to do after a diagnosis, daily caregiving, safety, behavioral and emotional changes, legal and financial

Recent headlines have warned about an outbreak involving an “explosive diarrhea parasite.” The illness is called cyclosporiasis, an intestinal infection caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. People become infected after consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite. Cases of cyclosporiasis typically increase during the spring and summer. People of any age can become infected. However, caregivers and older adults should be particularly aware of

If you are age 65 or older, have a disability, or need long-term care, Medi-Cal will look at both your income and assets when you apply for or renew your coverage. Income is the money you receive while assets are the things you own. You can use the Medi-Cal eligibility tool to get an estimate of whether you or a loved one may qualify. You can try the tool here: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/medi-cal/qualify/ Depending on your status, you may fall under the Modified Adjusted Gross I

There is growing concern about the rising cost of electricity, especially during the summer months. According to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, the average U.S. household is expected to spend about $792 on electricity between June and September, up 10.5% from the same period last year, when the average was $717. For many lower-income older adults, rising electricity costs can be especially difficult during the summer. Older adults are more vulnerable to

You may not realize it, but driving uses a wide variety of joints. Your neck helps you check blind spots. Your shoulders, elbows, wrists, and hands help you steer and use the controls. Your hips, knees, ankles, and feet help you get in and out of the car and safely press the pedals. When someone has arthritis, those everyday movements can become harder. Their joints may be painful, stiff, swollen, weaker, or less mobile. Driving may become more challenging, and in some cases,

After a stroke, a person may seem different emotionally, mentally, or behaviorally. For families, this can be difficult and even heartbreaking to understand. The person they love may suddenly seem less engaged, less motivated, or less like themselves. One reason this happens is because a stroke affects the brain. One reason this can happen is because a stroke affects the brain. The brain controls much more than movement and speech. It also plays a major role in emotions, beha

June is Pride Month, a good time to recognize the lives, experiences, and needs of LGBTQIA+ older adults. In November 2024, researchers released the results of California’s first statewide survey of LGBTQIA+ midlife and older adults. The survey asked LGBTQIA+ Californians age 50 and older about their health, finances, social support, safety, access to care, mental health, substance use, and service needs. More than 4,000 people from every census region in California responded

The extreme heat Southern California is experiencing can be dangerous for older adults especially for those taking medications for their health conditions. Commonly prescribed medications, over-the-counter medications, and certain medication combinations can increase heat-related risks for older adults. This may include diuretics, ACE inhibitors, dopaminergic medications, beta blockers, and others. Interfering With Your Body's Cooling System Thermoregulation is the process yo