As we get older, falling becomes a hazard. Joints get creaky, medication affects our senses, and balance can be easily lost. We might simply have trouble seeing obstacles in our way. When bones are brittle, even gentle falls become dangerous.

Luckily, preventing falls is easy. It all comes down to good housekeeping. Take these tips:

Eliminate clutter.

– Remove furniture that you don’t use. All remaining furniture should be stable and without sharp corners.

– Position furniture where you can grip it as you walk through the house.

– Don’t have electrical cords trailing across the floor.

Install safety bars.

– Make sure all steps—even the smallest—have sturdy handrails that extend beyond the final step.

– Install grab bars in the bath/shower.

Tape.

– Install friction tape in the bathtub.

– Make sure rugs/carpets are secured to the floor.

Install stool risers and boosts.

– These devices make getting on/off the toilet, or in/out of bed, easier and safer.

Wear non-slip footwear.

– Make sure to wear non-slip shoes or slippers around the house. Don’t walk in in stockings or barefoot.

Have adequate lighting.

– Install bright bulbs.

– Consider using motion-sensitive lights that come on when a person enters a room.

– Use night lights in every room.

Avoid reaching.

– Keep important items on low shelves/cabinets.

– Use a reaching tool to grab faraway items. Never stand on chairs or ladders.

Best wishes for happiness on Valentine's Day and every day.

Telemarketers want you to pick up the phone. That’s why they target 60-80% of their calls at seniors, who are more likely to be at home during the day and give their sales pitches a respectful hearing. Although you were always taught to be nice to salesmen, the National Crime Prevention Council recommends that you hang up on telemarketers—if you answer the phone at all.

Older people are prime targets for telemarketing fraud, which attempts to cheat you out of your valuables through deception. Seniors suffering from dementia or memory loss are prime targets for schemes like this, but we all need to watch out.

Some helpful hints:

*Sign up for the national Do Not Call Registry at (888) 382-1222 or www.donotcall.gov. This will help decrease calls from telemarketers.

*If a caller asks for personal information such as a credit card number or Social Security number, politely refuse and hang up.

*If a caller offers a free item and then wants you to pay for shipping or taxes, politely refuse and hang up.

*If a caller demands a decision on a limited-time offer, politely refuse and hang up.

*If you don't understand the offer, ask to receive information by mail. If the telemarketer refuses to do that, end the call.