Safety

Older adults are the fastest-growing group experiencing homelessness. Many of them live on fixed incomes, such as from Social Security or small pensions, so rising rents can quickly push them into housing instability. ...

Holiday gatherings can overload the senses. Add poor hearing and eyesight, memory decline and a break from routine to the mix, and a holiday gathering — no matter how fun — can be tough, especially on older guests. ...

Because heat-related illnesses can involve dizziness, confusion and dehydration, it can be difficult for someone experiencing one to think clearly. Older adults, their caregivers and loved ones should look out for signs of overheating. ...

One of the country's oldest fireworks companies is right here in Northeast Ohio. The Hudson-based American Fireworks opened in 1902 and is run by the seventh generation of the original founding family. If you're planning your own Independence Day fireworks fun, stay safe with these tips. ...

One reason older adults are at risk of dehydration is that, as they age, the thirst reflex is naturally diminished—they may not even know they are thirsty. That's just one health issue related to extreme heat. Here are several handy tips to keep us all safer during summer's heat waves. ...

Maybe Lyme disease has a better publicist, since that's the one most familiar to us. It's spread primarily through the bites of blacklegged ticks. But when you find a bloated tick attached to your skin, who's looking at legs? All tick encounters should be taken seriously, regardless of its leg color. ...

It's a scammy world out there. Protect yourself by picking up or downloading a copy of the free Scam Squad Guide offered through the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs. ...

At a recent doctor's appointment, my provider asked me about how much alcohol I drink. Honestly, it depends. I host patio cocktail parties in the summer, and hit a winery now and then. I'm a big fan of holiday mimosas. No big deal; I can take it or leave it. But as a 65-year-old with a history of cancer, the statistics were clear and worth a warning. Her advice: don't drink at all, or limit yourself to an occasional cocktail. Margarita Mondays are going to have to be alcohol-free for me. ...