In This Issue:

- Aging and Accidents

- Heading for a Fall

- Mind Your Meds

- Exercise to Prevent Falls

- Smart Home Design

- Eating Right

- Excerpt from Mind Your Meds:

Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor of all the drugs you take, especially antidepressants, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax and others) and blood pressure meds.

Always get up slowly from a prone or sitting position, and use a cane or walker if you're regularly dizzy or your balance isn't good.

Some drugs promote osteoporosis, including steroid hormones like prednisone, some breast and prostate cancer drugs, some diuretics and some drugs that treat acid reflux disease. So always be clear why your doctor prescribes them, if there are suitable alternatives, what the side effects are and how to minimize them...