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

Elder Love USA is the only nonprofit caregiving agency in the state of California. Founded in 2016, our mission is to make home care more affordable for older adults and their families. We are able to keep care accessible through a combination of client support, partnerships, individual donations, sponsorships, grants, and creative fundraisers. One of those creative fundraisers is Art From the Heart! Art From the Heart is a community fundraiser where people decorate wooden

Caregiving can feel like stepping into a system you were never taught how to navigate. It can be hard to know what help is available, what your loved one may qualify for, or where to even begin. For caregivers who feel overwhelmed, 211 may be a helpful first call. What Is the Caregiver Support Program? The Caregiver Support Program is a partnership between AARP and United Way Worldwide. The program helps caregivers connect with trained Community Resource Specialists who can g

An older adult may not say they are being mistreated. They may feel embarrassed, afraid, dependent on the person harming them, or unsure where to turn. In some situations, they may not fully understand that what is happening is abuse. That is why awareness matters. Elder Abuse Is More Than Physical Harm It can take many forms and It’s common for older adults to experience more than one type of abuse. Physical abuse: Physical abuse can include assault, battery, unreasonable ph

ABC New York anchor Bill Ritter recently retired from the anchor desk after being diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Before his diagnosis, Ritter said he had started noticing changes in his memory two years ago. He was forgetting names and places, and at first, he wondered if his demanding work schedule was to blame. Many families have had a similar moment with an aging parent, spouse, or loved one. They forget a name. They can't remember the name of a familiar

There is always something happening in the world of sports. Whether it's the World Cup bringing together billions of soccer fans from around the globe, the NBA Finals captivating basketball enthusiasts, or the excitement of a local high school rivalry, people spend countless hours following their favorite teams and athletes. For many, sports are more than just a game. They become a source of conversation, tradition, excitement, and community. But could being a sports fan actu

Last updated: Jan 27, 2026 According to censusreporter.org (Uses 2024 data from U.S. Census Bureau), 15% of Temecula's population are aged 65 and over. Below is a list of local resources and services specifically available to older adults in Temecula. For more general caregiving and older adult resources, please visit: General Resources Page Riverside County Resources Page Coachella Valley Resources Page NOTE: This list is not comprehensive, and programs or availability may

There are times when a loved one needs a little help getting from one place to another, but pulling, pushing, or grabbing them can feel uncomfortable and may even increase resistance. One caregiving technique that can help is called hand-under-hand guidance. This technique is excellently demonstrated by Teepa Snow in this TikTok video. As the name suggests, the caregiver gently places their hand underneath the other person's hand. Rather than taking control, this approach

You haven't seen your mom in a few months. Life got busy. Work, kids, appointments, and everyday responsibilities kept getting in the way. When you finally walk through her front door, something feels different. At first, you can't quite put your finger on it. Then you notice her sweater seems a little baggier than usual. Her face looks thinner. Maybe she's moving a bit slower than you remember. "Have you lost weight?" you ask. "Oh, just a few pounds," she replies. You want t

When people think about diabetes, they often focus on blood sugar levels, medications, diet, and exercise. However, one area that is often overlooked is oral health. For older adults with diabetes, problems in the mouth can become serious if they are not addressed early. Dry mouth, gum disease, cavities, and oral infections are all more common among people living with diabetes. As a caregiver, knowing what to watch for can help prevent small problems from becoming major ones.

Dementia can sometimes cause older adults to say or do things that may not fully align with present reality. A person may believe they need to leave for work despite being retired, or ask to speak with a loved one who passed away many years ago. Others may insist they need to “go home” even when they are already there. These behaviors are often linked to changes in memory, confusion, fear, unmet needs, or time-shifting, when a person believes they are living in an earlier ch

A 2025 report from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association also found that Pilates was the fastest-growing form of exercise in the United States, with participation increasing by roughly 40 percent since 2019. Part of Pilates’ growing visibility may also come from celebrities and influencers who regularly incorporate it into their fitness routines. What is Pilates? Pilates is a form of low-impact exercise that focuses on controlled movement, posture, flexibility, balance, a

Osteoporosis is often called a “silent” disease because bone loss typically occurs without noticeable symptoms in the early stages. Many people may not realize they have osteoporosis until they experience a fracture. However, there are still warning signs and risk factors that should not be ignored. One warning sign is loss of height. Beginning around age 40, many adults gradually lose some height as part of the natural aging process. But losing at least 1.5 inches (3.8 centi

A new animated film is shining a deeply personal light on Alzheimer’s disease, caregiving, and the emotional weight many families carry every day. Based on Sarah Leavitt’s 2010 graphic memoir Tangles: A Story About Alzheimer’s, My Mother and Me, the film follows Sarah, a young activist and illustrator living in 1990s San Francisco whose life suddenly changes when her mother is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Forced to leave behind her life in San Francisco, Sarah returns

Mobility challenges, frailty, joint pain, osteoporosis, balance problems, and age-related muscle loss can make something as routine as getting in and out of a vehicle much more difficult for older adults. Supportive car door handles, also called car canes or vehicle assist handles, are designed to provide additional leverage and stability during transfers in and out of a car. These portable devices typically fit securely into the vehicle’s door latch and create a sturdy handh

A social experiment called “Call A Boomer” is connecting two of the loneliest age groups: younger people and older adults.

A new research report from AARP highlights several gaps in how older adults navigate the online world, leaving them more vulnerable to fraud. While many older adults are taking important steps, such as using multi-factor authentication, there are still critical areas where protection falls short. One of the concerns they brought up is the use of the same password for multiple accounts. The research found that only about one-third of adults (35%) use a unique password for ever

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that higher levels of optimism were associated with a lower risk of developing dementia. Researchers suggest this may be because people who are more optimistic tend to engage in behaviors that support brain health. These include staying physically active, maintaining social connections, managing stress, and participating in mentally stimulating activities. What This Means for Caregivers If your c

You've tried everything. You bought the resistance bands. You suggested the morning walks. You even signed them up for that senior fitness class down the street. And yet, the bands are still in the bag, the walks never happened, and the class was quietly abandoned after the second session. But what if the issue is not resistance? What if it's a poor personality fit? A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that people enjoy exercise significantly more when their wor

Wrist Arthritis The wrist is made up of many small bones that work together to allow movement for everyday tasks like gripping, lifting, and turning objects. Healthy wrists have a smooth layer of cartilage that allows bones to move easily and without friction. With arthritis, this cartilage gradually wears down. As it breaks away, the bones begin to rub against each other, leading to pain and stiffness. The three most common types of arthritis that affect the wrist are osteo

Living with Parkinson’s can make everyday movement more challenging, but certain activities have been shown to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Many people who participate in these activities report better balance, coordination, mood, and overall well-being. Just as important, these activities often bring people together, creating a sense of community, connection, and support. Beyond the physical benefits, there is also something deeper. Participating in the