Whatever their ages, Americans love to be mobile. And for many people, that means driving an automobile. In this country, three out of four adults have valid driver’s licenses, and 40 million of those drivers are age 65 or older.

Whether it's walking in the park, enjoying outdoor picnics, attending baseball games, or going swimming, summer includes countless fun pursuits. What's more, summertime involves various traditions, such as traveling to favorite vacation destinations, watching Fourth of July fireworks, and attending family reunions. For older adults, missing out on summer’s fun can create feelings of isolation and loneliness.

For the most part, older adults often want to drive for the same reason sixteen-year-olds do: driving provides them independence. As they age, older adults worry about relinquishing their freedom. Indeed, 53 percent of older adults are concerned about remaining independent, while 26 percent say that losing independence is their greatest fear.

The Baby Boom generation, the post World War II age cohort born between 1946 and 1964, has had a significant influence on US cultural norms for decades. Since becoming adults, Baby Boomers have spoken up against war, racial and sexual prejudice, and political corruption.

June marks the return of two annual calendar events: the first day of summer and National Safety Month. While most of us often associate winter’s snow and ice with accidental injuries, certain summer conditions pose potential risks as well. With sunny days and warm temperatures drawing us outdoors, here are seven precautions older adults can take to protect themselves from harm this summer.

Providing care for older adults is a rewarding line of work—albeit a sometimes demanding one. That’s why we love what we do at Sunset. However, we know that not all caregivers are trained professionals. Many people serve as informal caregivers to their loved ones. We recognize that for those individuals, the physical and emotional requirements of caregiving can prove extra challenging. Indeed, 38 percent of family caregivers describe their roles as highly stressful.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are approximately 6 million stroke survivors living in the United States—and nearly 800,000 Americans experience a stroke each year. Strokes are among the leading causes of longterm disability in adults, and their effects often lead to persistent difficulties with the most basic daily tasks.

Residents of Life Plan Communities participate in physical activity more frequently than older adults living in the community at large. Not surprisingly, Life Plan Community residents also report being in better overall health than other seniors.

According to early results from a five-year nationwide study, Life Plan Community residents report greater emotional, social, physical, intellectual, and vocational wellness than older adults living within the community at large.