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Many seniors prefer to age in place, but when a senior parent’s health declines and they need immediate or sudden help, then we may be faced with the critical decision of whether or not to provide that care ourselves. You will need to ask yourself hard questions about how your own availability and caregiving capabilities will affect your ability to provide effective care — for your loved one and yourself. Even if you don’t feel prepared to take on the tasks of caregiving, you can seek assistance from family, friends and support groups to help you through the difficult times. Like many other family caregivers, Ann Napoletan thought she could handle everything on her own, without support.”In hindsight, I wish I had gotten involved in a support group and dug deeper to find other resources,” says Ann, who writes for our partner Caregivers.com.

Although hip fracture rates have been declining in America, falls are still the leading cause of injuries in older adults, reports the CDC, with 20-30% of falls leading to moderate or severe injuries. There are numerous risk factors that increase the chance of falls and fall-related injuries, and these unfortunately tend to multiply as we get older. Some medical conditions can also lead to bone loss, while other conditions can increase the risk of falls; appropriate treatment and monitoring is critical to avoiding injury. To minimize the risk of falls in the home, reduce slipping and tripping hazards such as loose carpet edges, add grab bars and railings where needed, ensure furniture is stable, and make sure lighting is sufficient and light switches accessible.