(ARA) - It's the time of year for Mother Nature's worst. Rain, sleet and ice coupled with less sunlight may have you worried about company -- or yourself -- slipping on sidewalks or driveways. But did you know there's another area of your home that poses a greater risk for falls and accidents than anywhere else? And it's the one place you and your visitors can't avoid - the bathroom.

In 2001 alone, more than 1.6 million seniors were treated in emergency departments for fall-related injuries and nearly 388,000 were hospitalized. So how can you prevent an accident this season? Take a fresh look at your bathroom with some safety considerations in mind. A few simple changes can make a big difference for you and your family's peace of mind.

(ARA) - If you need some information from a doctor you have not seen in a few years, how likely is it that you will be able to get that information? A correspondent recently wrote to an advice columnist about her experience in trying to locate old medical records, only to find that her doctor's practice had closed and her medical records had been destroyed.

"It's important to know the record retention policy of each of your healthcare providers," says Denise Pozen, attorney and creator of the So Tell Me... personal health organizer (www.sotellmeorganizer.com). "Federal agencies such as Medicare and Medicaid have record retention requirements, usually five or six years; but state requirements vary, and some states have no requirement. Also, the method of tracking time can vary; for doctors it is usually from the date of last treatment, while for hospitals, nursing or rehabilitation facilities, it may be from the date of discharge."

(ARA) - Imagine a world without price tags. You can make a purchase, but you'll have no idea of the charges until the bill comes in the mail.

Until recently, that's the world that the average American lived in when seeking health care. As part of a health care system that shielded insured patients from the actual costs of care, most Americans with health insurance never questioned the care that they received or its cost. Today's consumers, however, are being asked to take on greater financial responsibility for their health care and a more active role in making decisions about the care they receive.

(ARA) - One really is the loneliest number, no matter what your age. Once thought of as affecting primarily the elderly, loneliness is a growing problem in America.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that more than 10 million Americans 65 or older live alone. Even as many remain independent and active, there are a growing number of seniors that feel isolated and lonely. According to a recent American Sociological Review report, the average American has only two close friends in whom they would confide on important matters. In addition, the U.S. Census reveals that one out of four households (27.2 percent) consists of just one person. These factors have contributed to a growing number of Americans who experience social isolation or loneliness.