Lucy is worried. She's lived in the same neighborhood for 50 years, but things seem to be changing. Last week, her friend Rose was walking to the store when a young man ran by and pulled her purse right off her shoulder. Two weeks ago, Joe, the man upstairs, put his grocery bags on the curb while waiting for the bus, and before he knew it, someone had picked up his bags and run off. Lucy feels sad to think she might have to move. She wonders, is anywhere safe for older people anymore?

Many older people worry about becoming more forgetful. They think forgetfulness is the first sign of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the past, memory loss and confusion were considered a normal part of aging. However, scientists now know that most people remain both alert and able as they age, although it may take them longer to remember things.

Grace was dating again. George, a close family friend she had known for a long time, was starting to stay overnight more and more often. Because she was past childbearing age, Grace didn't think about using condoms. And because she had known George for so long, she didn't think to ask him about his sexual history. So, Grace was shocked when she tested positive for HIV.

Many older people have trouble eating well for a variety of reasons. Reading food labels for nutritional information is one way to eat well. But sometimes there are problems that interfere with eating well.

Tony is a retired mailman. He has lived in New England his whole life and has seen some harsh winters. None, however, was as cold or snowy as one winter a few years ago. First, the temperature dipped to below zero and a snowstorm left 2 feet of snow. Then an ice storm caused lots of broken power lines. That meant Tony had no heat in his house, but he also couldn't leave. The temperature inside dropped to 60° F quite quickly. When his neighbor rang the doorbell to check on him the next day, Tony was confused, and his speech was slurred. He was taken to the emergency room. A doctor examined Tony and warmed him up. When he left the hospital, Tony went to his brother's house until the heat came back on. Turns out he'd had accidental hypothermia.

At age 75, Sheila thinks she's a very good driver. And she wanted to stay that way. So she got her eyes and hearing checked to make sure she can see and hear well enough to drive safely. Then she signed up to take a driving course for older drivers at her local automobile club. Will all this effort guarantee Sheila's road safety?

As fall turns to winter, cold and flu season moves into full swing. Last year was a record year for colds and flu and this year health officials predict it will be even worse. We must take precautions so the cold and flu season doesn't catch us off guard.