As people grow older, things change. Some changes are simple (bifocals!); others are more time consuming. Still, there's no change more important than making sure that a senior's environment is safe. Luckily, most improvements can be made in a day or less, and at very little cost.

"Most seniors don't need to make major improvements to their homes in order to live independently. However 'aging in place' does take a few simple changes to keep a home safe and efficient for seniors," says Charlene Perrone, a CSA-certified senior advisor and owner of Home Instead Senior Care for Santa Clarita and the Antelope Valleys (254-8701).

"Add enhanced lighting - maybe compact fluorescents - in all parts of the home, and reduce clutter, especially on the floors and stairs. Get rid of area rugs, too," Perrone suggests.

"Falls are the arch enemy of seniors," agrees Myles McNamara, owner of Comfort Keepers In-Home Care (287-4200). Aging loved ones can have their life turned upside down by a fall that results in a broken hip or other injury.

"Install grab bars in the bathroom, one of the most common places for a fall, and around the toilet, too. Inspect all walking areas for change of height and surface. Going from hard flooring to carpet and even thresholds in doorways can cause trips and falls, resulting in injury," says McNamara.

"With America's population aging, billions of dollars are spent each year on senior care expenses - which affects emotional security. With a little creativity, though, seniors and their families can save a substantial amount of money," says Geneva Knoles, owner of Visiting Angels of Santa Clarita (263-2273). Knoles suggests that seniors invest in a personal alarm system that can connect directly to 911 and charges no monitoring fees and has no service contracts. "Consider home care when necessary, too. The average annual cost of home care can be half the cost of nursing home care," says Knoles.