Staying Independent

Of course your aging parents prefer to stay at home. And fortunately, there are things you can do to help them stay safe and independent.

In elder care especially, an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure! Older adults frequently decline after an episode severe enough to cause a hospitalization. Thus, helping prevent a crisis or injury is one of the best ways you can contribute to your aging parents' health.

Common avoidable causes of hospitalization include:

• Confusion about medications
• A fall that results in a hip fracture
• A car accident
• Not recognizing signs of a chronic illness getting worse

Most seniors have one or more chronic illnesses. These can be kept in check if they are managed well. Three common conditions that respond especially well to active management are congestive heart failure, COPD, and dementia. None of these conditions can be cured. But with daily attention, you can catch a problem before it gets out of hand. And, you will be enhancing your loved one's quality of life.

To help you avoid crises and prolong your aging parents' ability to stay independent, we offer the following articles:

• Preventing Hospitalizations
• Managing Medications
• Preventing Falls
• Driving Safely
• Dementia
• Congestive heart failure (CHF)
• COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)