PODCAST · leisure
Senior Safety Advice
by Esther C Kane CAPS, C.D.S.
A podcast focused on the topics of senior safety, aging in place and caring for older adults.
Episodes
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"How Do We Handle the Holidays When a Parent Has Dementia?"
The holidays can become confusing and overwhelming when a parent is living with dementia, but families don't have to give up meaningful celebrations. Senior Home Safety Specialist Robin Schiltz shares practical ways to simplify gatherings, reduce overstimulation, adapt traditions, handle…
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Smarter, Safer, Still You: What's New in Smart Home Technology for Senior Independence in 2026
Smart home technology for older adults is changing quickly, and in 2026 many of the most useful tools work quietly in the background. In this episode, retired occupational therapist, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and Dementia Care Specialist Esther Kane covers camera-free fall detection,...
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How to Navigate a Parent's Resistance to In-Home Help
When an aging parent refuses in-home help, families can quickly find themselves stuck between respecting independence and worrying about safety. In this episode, Senior Home Safety Specialist Robin Schiltz explains why older adults often resist assistance and shares practical ways to introduce…
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The Talk Nobody Wants to Have: How to Plan for the End of Life Before a Crisis Forces Your Hand
Most families don't talk about end-of-life wishes until a crisis forces a decision, and by then it's often too late to ask. In this episode, retired occupational therapist, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and Dementia Care Specialist Esther Kane explains how to start this conversation gently...
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How to Check Outdoor Steps and Walkways for Fall Risk This Season
Outdoor steps and walkways can develop hidden fall hazards as the seasons change. In this episode, Senior Home Safety Specialist Robin Schiltz explains how older adults and family caregivers can check for uneven pavement, slippery leaves, loose steps, poor lighting, drainage problems, and other...
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The Five Second Shoe Test That Could Prevent a Fall in Your Own Hallway
Most falls happen inside the home, on familiar floors, and what a person has on their feet is often the one thing that could have changed the outcome. In this episode, retired occupational therapist and Certified Aging in Place Specialist Esther Kane shares a five second test anyone can do on a...
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When You Are Grieving a Parent Who Is Still Here
Grieving a parent does not always begin after death. In this episode, Senior Home Safety Specialist Robin Schiltz talks about the very real grief that can come when an aging parent’s memory, health, independence, or personality begins to change. She offers gentle, practical ways for family...
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Why Your Parent Says "I'm Fine" When They're Not, and What to Ask Instead
"I'm fine" may be the most frustrating sentence in family caregiving. In this episode, retired occupational therapist and Certified Aging in Place Specialist Esther Kane explains the four real reasons older adults downplay how they are doing, including the important fact that many parents…
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New Guidelines on Preventing Senior Scams and Financial Abuse This Fall
Fall and the approaching holiday season can bring an increase in impersonation calls, shopping scams, fake emergencies, and financial exploitation. Robin Schiltz, a Senior Home Safety Specialist, explains the warning signs and shares practical ways older adults and families can pause, verify...
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Choosing a Home Health Agency for Your Parent: What That Discharge List Won't Tell You
Most families choose a home health agency under pressure, with a discharge date looming and a printed list of names in hand. In this episode, retired occupational therapist and Certified Aging in Place Specialist Esther Kane explains the difference between medical home health care and non-medical...
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How to Help an Aging Parent Accept a New Fall Season Diagnosis
A new medical diagnosis can be frightening for an older adult and just as stressful for the family trying to help. In this episode, Senior Home Safety Specialist Robin Schiltz explains how families can talk about a new diagnosis without immediately taking control away from an aging parent. She...
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The Throw Rug Talk: How to Remove a Tripping Hazard Without Starting a Fight
Throw rugs are one of the most common tripping hazards in the home, and one of the hardest things for families to discuss without tension. In this episode, retired occupational therapist and Certified Aging in Place Specialist Esther Kane explains why loose rugs are so risky as foot clearance...
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The Best Raised Toilet Seats and Toilet Safety Frames for Seniors
Choosing the right raised toilet seat or toilet safety frame can make bathroom trips safer and easier for an older adult. In this episode, Senior Home Safety Specialist Robin Schiltz explains how to decide whether someone needs extra toilet height, supportive arms, or both, and what families…
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You Don't Have to Put the Heaviness Down: How Caregivers Find Joy in Small Moments
Being told to "find joy" while caregiving can feel dismissive — as though someone is asking you to feel differently about something genuinely hard. In this episode, retired Occupational Therapist, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and Dementia Care Specialist Esther Kane explains why that...
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"My Parent Keeps Falling at Night — What Can We Do?"
Nighttime falls can be frightening for both older adults and the family members who care for them. In this episode, Senior Home Safety Specialist Robin Schiltz explains why falls may happen more often at night and shares practical ways to improve lighting, bathroom safety, medication awareness,...
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The 2026 Dementia Research Nobody Is Talking About — And Why It's All About the House
The dementia headlines of 2026 have been about blood tests and new medications — but a quieter body of research has been studying something families can actually act on this week: the home itself. Retired Occupational Therapist, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and Dementia Care Specialist...
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Before the First Cold Snap: The Fall Home Check That Keeps Seniors Safe All Winter
Cold weather changes more than the temperature outside — it changes how a home actually works. In this episode, retired Occupational Therapist, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and Dementia Care Specialist Esther Kane walks listeners through a simple fall home check that prevents the most...
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Why Your Parent Slows Down Every Fall — And the Simple Fix That Isn't a Pep Talk
Every autumn, families watch an aging parent quietly withdraw, and most of them blame it on lost motivation. In this episode, retired Occupational Therapist, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and Dementia Care Specialist Esther Kane explains why that's usually the wrong diagnosis, and what's...
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How to Spot Early Signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder in an Aging Parent
Seasonal depression can be easy to overlook in an aging parent, especially when the first signs look like ordinary winter tiredness or slowing down. In this episode, Senior Home Safety Specialist Robin Schiltz explains the subtle changes families should watch for, including increased sleep…
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Stop Stacking Pillows: How to Choose a Bed Wedge That Actually Holds All Night
Stacking pillows at night rarely works, and it can leave you stiff, sore, and unsteady in the morning. In this episode, retired Occupational Therapist, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and Dementia Care Specialist Esther Kane explains how to choose a bed wedge or positioning aid that actually...
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Giving Yourself Grace as the Busy Fall Season Begins
As the fall calendar fills up, caregivers and older adults can quickly feel overwhelmed by appointments, home maintenance, family responsibilities, and upcoming holidays. Senior Home Safety Specialist Robin Schiltz shares practical ways to simplify the season, protect your energy, accept help…
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The Simple Tool That Keeps You Off the Step Stool: How to Pick a Reacher That Actually Works
Reaching overhead and bending to the floor are two of the most common ways older adults get hurt at home, and a good reacher eliminates both for very little money. In this episode, retired occupational therapist and Certified Aging in Place Specialist Esther Kane explains what actually separates…
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Is It Dementia or Just Aging? The One Question I Always Asked First
Is your mom or dad getting more forgetful, and you can't tell whether it's normal aging or something more? In this episode, retired Occupational Therapist, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and Dementia Care Specialist Esther Kane explains the one question she always asked first in her…
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New Findings on How Diet and Immunity Impact Senior Health in Autumn
New research is helping us better understand the connection between diet, gut health, inflammation, and the aging immune system. In this episode, Senior Home Safety Specialist Robin Schiltz explains what these findings may mean for older adults heading into autumn, including the role of protein,...
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Your Closet Is Balance Equipment: Setting Up a Senior's Wardrobe for a Safer Fall Season
Getting dressed is one of the most demanding balance activities of the day, and most falls happen in exactly those moments when weight is shifting. In this episode, retired Occupational Therapist, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and Dementia Care Specialist Esther Kane walks listeners…
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How to Help an Aging Parent Stay Socially Active as Summer Activities Wind Down
As summer activities end, an aging parent’s social calendar can quietly become much smaller. Senior Home Safety Specialist Robin Schiltz shares practical ways families can help older adults maintain meaningful social connections without making them feel pressured or over-scheduled. She discusses...
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Wet Leaves Are Slicker Than Ice: The Fall Hazard Right Outside Your Door.
Wet leaves are one of the most overlooked fall hazards around a senior's home, and they're far slicker than most people realize. In this episode, retired Occupational Therapist, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and Dementia Care Specialist Esther Kane explains why autumn walkways catch active...
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The Best Heated Blankets and Safe Warming Products for Senior Comfort
Cold weather can make staying comfortable at home more challenging for older adults, but not every warming product is equally safe. Senior Home Safety Specialist Robin Schiltz explains what to look for in heated throws, electric blankets, heating pads, and non-electric warming options, along with...
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Staying Grounded When the Season of Change Feels Overwhelming
When the seasons change, so does the shape of the day — and that quiet loss of routine is often what leaves older adults and caregivers feeling unsteady. In this episode, retired Occupational Therapist, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and Dementia Care Specialist Esther Kane explains why...
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"How Do We Know If Our Parent Needs More Care This Winter?"
Winter can reveal small changes in an older parent’s health, routines, mobility, and ability to manage daily life. In this episode, Senior Home Safety Specialist Robin Schiltz explains what families should watch for and how to decide whether a parent may need a little more support during the…
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What Nutrition Experts Want Seniors to Know Before Cold and Flu Season (And It's Not a Supplement)
As cold and flu season approaches, store shelves fill up with immune support supplements — but that's not where the research points. In this episode, retired Occupational Therapist, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and Dementia Care Specialist Esther Kane explains what nutrition experts are...
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How to Help a Senior With Dementia Adjust to the Fall Time Change
The fall time change can be surprisingly confusing for someone living with dementia, especially when darkness begins arriving earlier in the day. Senior Home Safety Specialist Robin Schiltz explains how caregivers can use lighting, routines, gradual schedule changes, and simple reassurance to…
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The 15-Minute Doctor Visit That Can Prevent Your Parent's Next Fall (What to Say and When to Say It)
Many families walk out of a parent's doctor appointment realizing they never brought up the falls. In this episode, retired Occupational Therapist, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and Dementia Care Specialist Esther Kane walks caregivers through exactly how to raise fall concerns with a...
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How to Check a Senior's Outdoor Lighting Before the Days Get Shorter
As the days grow shorter, outdoor areas that feel safe in daylight can become harder for older adults to navigate after sunset. In this episode, Senior Home Safety Specialist Robin Schiltz explains how to check walkways, steps, driveways, entrances, motion sensors, and outdoor fixtures for common...
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Banister or Handrail? The 10-Second Stair Test Every Home Should Pass Before Winter
A beautiful wide banister can look reassuring and still do nothing to catch someone who slips. In this episode, retired Occupational Therapist, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and Dementia Care Specialist Esther Kane explains the difference between a decorative banister and a truly graspable...
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Interview with the founder of StoriedLife.ai - Rafi Moshe
In this episode, Esther C. Kane interviews Rafi Moshe, founder of StoriedLife.ai, an innovative platform designed to help people preserve their memories and life stories for future generations. Rafi explains how StoriedLife’s AI biographer guides users through natural conversations, asks…
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"Don't Touch Anything" — What Your Parent Is Really Protecting When They Refuse Housekeeping Help
When an aging parent refuses help with housekeeping, families usually read it as stubbornness or denial — and push harder, which rarely works. In this episode, retired Occupational Therapist, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and Dementia Care Specialist Esther Kane explains what that refusal…
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Why Arthritis Feels Worse When the Weather Turns — And What Actually Helps
When temperatures drop, many older adults with arthritis brace for a harder season — and often start doing less without realizing it. In this episode, retired Occupational Therapist, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and Dementia Care Specialist Esther Kane explains what cold weather really…
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How to Talk to Your Parent About Getting a Fall Season Health Checkup
Talking with an aging parent about seeing the doctor can quickly turn into, “I’m fine, I don’t need to go.” In this episode, Senior Home Safety Specialist Robin Schiltz explains how families can approach a fall season health checkup without making a parent feel pressured or less independent. She...
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Wet Leaves Are the Black Ice of Autumn — How to Spot the Danger Before You Fall
Most people brace for ice in winter but think of fallen leaves as nothing more than yard work. In this episode, retired Occupational Therapist, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and Dementia Care Specialist Esther Kane explains why a layer of wet, matted leaves can be nearly as slippery as ice…
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The Best Non Slip Bath Mats and Shower Safety Products for Fall
Bathroom floors, tubs, and showers can become serious fall hazards, but a few simple products can make a meaningful difference. In this episode, Senior Home Safety Specialist Robin Schiltz explains what to look for in non-slip bath mats, shower mats, grab bars, shower chairs, transfer benches,...
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The Kind of Gratitude That Actually Helps a Tired Caregiver This Fall
Caregivers are often told to be grateful, and it usually lands as a correction rather than a comfort. In this episode, retired Occupational Therapist, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and Dementia Care Specialist Esther Kane offers a different approach to entering the fall season — one that...
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"My Parent Has Been Falling More Frequently — What Steps Do We Take?"
When an aging parent starts falling more often, families may wonder whether it is simply part of getting older or a sign that living at home is no longer safe. Senior Home Safety Specialist Robin Schiltz explains how to look for patterns, prepare for a medical evaluation, examine the home, and...
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4 New Findings in Senior Safety Research — And What They Actually Mean for Your Family This Fall
Health headlines move fast, and it's hard for families to tell which findings actually change anything at home. In this episode, retired Occupational Therapist, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and Dementia Care Specialist Esther Kane walks through four recent developments in senior safety...
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How to Prepare Your Parent's Home Before Winter Arrives
Cold weather can create unexpected safety risks for older adults living at home. In this episode, Senior Home Safety Specialist Robin Schiltz explains how families can prepare a parent's home for winter by checking heating systems, walkways, lighting, pipes, emergency supplies, and more. She also...
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Why Your Aging Parent Seems "Off" When Summer Ends — And What to Do About It
When summer ends, many families notice their aging parent seems quieter, flatter, or somehow "smaller" — and they're often unsure whether to worry. In this episode, retired Occupational Therapist, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and Dementia Care Specialist Esther Kane explains why the...
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How to Check Your Parent's Home for Fall Hazards Before the Season Changes
Seasonal changes can create new fall hazards around an older adult’s home without anyone realizing it. In this episode, Senior Home Safety Specialist Robin Schiltz explains what families should check indoors and outdoors, from lighting and walkways to rugs, footwear, bathrooms, and stairs. She…
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The Bed Rail Mistake Almost Every Family Makes (And the Safer Choice Most People Never Hear About)
Bed rails are one of the most commonly purchased pieces of home safety equipment for older adults, and one of the most commonly misused. In this episode, retired Occupational Therapist, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and Dementia Care Specialist Esther Kane explains the critical difference...
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Before You Buy a Bed Rail for Your Parent, Please Hear This
Bed rails and bed assist handles look similar, but they solve two very different problems, and confusing them has proven dangerous. Retired Occupational Therapist and Certified Aging in Place Specialist Esther Kane explains the difference between a handle that helps someone get up and a rail…
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How to Keep Showing Up When You Are Running on Empty
Caregiving can become overwhelming when there is always one more task, phone call, appointment, or problem to solve. In this episode, Senior Home Safety Specialist Robin Schiltz shares practical ways caregivers can keep going without expecting themselves to do everything perfectly. She talks…
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Senior Safety Advice have?
Senior Safety Advice currently has 440 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Senior Safety Advice about?
A podcast focused on the topics of senior safety, aging in place and caring for older adults.
How often does Senior Safety Advice release new episodes?
Senior Safety Advice publishes regularly with 440 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Senior Safety Advice?
You can listen to Senior Safety Advice on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Senior Safety Advice?
Senior Safety Advice is created and hosted by Esther C Kane CAPS, C.D.S..
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