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.

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.

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.

Impostors claiming to be from Social Security to get your personal information

The Social Security Administration and its Office of the Inspector General are warning the public about a nationwide telephone scam. Criminals impersonating Social Security officials are actively calling individuals around the country claiming there are problems with the person’s Social Security number as well as pending legal action against them. Callers coerce victims into providing personal information and money by threatening to suspend their accounts.

Aging Americans lose an estimated $36.5 billion each year to financial scams—and deceptive activity is especially high during the winter holiday season. Many older adults are trusting individuals with good credit and savings in the bank—qualities that make them likely targets for financial fraud. What’s more, scam victims are often too ashamed to report the crimes, making law enforcement efforts extra difficult.

Providing care for an aging family member is almost always a difficult task. The challenge is often intensified when you must be a long-distance caregiver.

Family members often express concern to us about the safety of their elderly loved ones who live alone at home. With aging comes higher risks for serious injuries resulting from accidents, so making sure a home is a safe living space is essential. Here are some around-the-house tips for making any home safer.