"Formal" caregivers are paid for their services and have had training and education in providing care. "Informal" caregivers, also called family caregivers, are people who provide care to family or friends, usually without payment.

Here are some suggestions: Make sure lighting in hallways and on stairs is adequate. Secure area rugs to prevent falls and slips. Outdoors, make certain railings, gates, and fences are secure and in good repair.

Assistive equipment includes shower seats and bathtub mats; walkers, canes, and wheelchairs; and telephones for the hearing-impaired.

More than 22 million Americans are involved in some form of helping elderly family members or friends with their daily routines. If you're part of this group, whether you call yourself a caregiver, or simply a good daughter or son, you know that caring for an aging parent or friend has its rewards and its trials.

Caregivers come in all shapes and sizes. They can be adult children, spouses, siblings, friends or neighbors, who help with daily activities such as bathing, feeding and clothing.

As more Americans live longer, millions of middle-aged adults find themselves caring for their aging parents. It's not an easy task, especially for those with children still living at home.

Many people don't consider themselves caregivers. They say, "I'm her husband or his sister, not a caregiver."

Elder care encompasses a wide variety of issues, including choosing an appropriate doctor to care for an aging patient, and making decisions about moving an elderly adult from the home environment to a residential care setting.

Senior centers enrich the lives of older adults with a range of opportunities for socialization, learning, travel, volunteerism, and physical and mental challenges.

Many children of aging parents wait until there's a crisis, and then they're left scrambling for mediocre options.

Caring for anyone is difficult, even in the best of circumstances. Here are tips to help make the task easier.

Patient advocates fulfill many roles, even, in some cases, staying with hospitalized patients around the clock to help guard against medical errors.

When people of any age need others to help them with medical, physical or emotional needs over an extended period of time, they need long-term care.

Most older people are independent. But later in life, you or someone you love may need help with everyday activities, such as shopping, cooking and bathing.

In a mutual support group, people just like you face similar ordeals and challenges.